ICPC Urged to Pursue Certificate Forgery Case Against Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji, Lawyers Demand Refund of Salaries

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

A coalition of concerned lawyers and public interest analysts has called on the Federal Government to ensure that allegations of certificate forgery against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, are prosecuted to a logical conclusion, warning against any attempt to shield influential individuals from justice.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, the group, led by legal practitioner Liborous Oshoma, said Nnaji's resignation from office in 2025 should not be treated as a substitute for criminal accountability.

The lawyers based their position on the findings of a Premium Times investigation published in October 2025, which alleged that although Nnaji was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the 1981/82 academic session, he did not graduate after failing a compulsory Virology course (MCB 431AB).

According to the group, the investigation was supported by correspondences exchanged between Nnaji and the university's Registry Department between November 1985 and May 1986. They cited a handwritten letter dated May 19, 1986, in which Nnaji reportedly applied to retake the failed Virology course after missing an earlier examination due to ill health.

The lawyers argued that the documents raised serious questions over how Nnaji came into possession of a University of Nigeria degree certificate dated July 1985, which he allegedly submitted during his nomination and subsequent confirmation as minister, despite later admitting in a court filing that the university had not issued him any degree certificate.

They further recalled that following Nnaji's petition to the Minister of Education in October 2025, in which he accused officials of the University of Nigeria of manipulating his academic records, the Federal Government constituted a seven-member investigative panel.

According to the group, the panel reportedly examined academic files, registry records, Senate-approved graduation lists, convocation archives and other university documents before concluding that Nnaji did not graduate from the institution.

The lawyers also raised concerns over Nnaji's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, alleging that it showed he served between April 16, 1985, and May 15, 1986—beginning national service months before the date on his purported university graduation certificate.

They further questioned the authenticity of the discharge certificate, noting that it bore the signature of Colonel Animashaun Braimoh, who, according to them, became NYSC Director-General in 1988, nearly two years after the certificate was allegedly issued.

The coalition welcomed the recent intervention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which announced that Nnaji was arrested on July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.

According to the ICPC, the former minister allegedly failed to honour several invitations issued to him after they were served at his known addresses and through electronic mail. The commission said the court order authorised his arrest to facilitate investigations into allegations of forgery of academic credentials and submission of a false NYSC discharge certificate during his ministerial screening process in 2023.

While commending the anti-corruption agency for taking action, the lawyers criticised what they described as prolonged delays in investigating and prosecuting politically exposed persons.

"The speed with which the poor are prosecuted compared to the slow pace when influential individuals are involved undermines public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law," Oshoma said.

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the case is not influenced by powerful interests and urged relevant authorities to allow the investigation and any subsequent prosecution to proceed without interference.

Beyond the alleged certificate forgery, the lawyers argued that Nnaji received salaries, allowances and other benefits while serving as minister based on credentials now under investigation, saying this raises additional legal questions regarding alleged false pretences.

They demanded that, if the allegations are established through due legal process, the former minister should refund all salaries and allowances received from the Federal Government between 2023 and October 2025.

The coalition also urged the Federal Government to review official actions and decisions taken during Nnaji's tenure as minister, arguing that any misconduct established through lawful proceedings could have implications for decisions made while in office.

The press conference statement was signed by Liborous Oshoma, Esq.