A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, seeking to stop the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from releasing his academic records.
This is also as Nigerians have reacted to the allegations of forgery of certificates leveled against Nnaji, following an investigation by Premium Times.
Justice Hausa Yilwa, in a ruling delivered on September 22, dismissed Nnaji’s request for an injunction, according to a Certified True Copy of the judgment sighted by our correspondent on Sunday.
Through an ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, Nnaji asked the court to restrain the university from releasing or tampering with his academic records.
He also asked the court to compel the university and its officials to release his academic transcript.
After listening to arguments from his counsel, the court examined the supporting affidavits and written submissions.
Justice Yilwa ruled that while the minister had an interest in the matter, the request for an injunction stopping UNN from releasing his records could not be granted.
“I find that the applicant has sufficient interest in the matter, and the application is partly meritorious. Accordingly, prayers 1, 2 and 3 are granted, while prayer 4, which sought an injunction, is declined,” the judge held.
The judge clarified that the approved reliefs should not be interpreted as restraining any party from carrying out its lawful duties.
“Prayer 4 is declined. Having being refused the granting of reliefs 1-3 shall not serve as injunctive reliefs against any of the parties. That’s the order of the court,” Justice Yilwa declared.
In a letter dated October 2, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, informed a media organisation in his response letter to an inquiry that the university did not issue Nnaji’s certificate, as he did not complete his studies.
“From our records, we cannot confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985. There are no records showing that he completed his studies,” the letter read in part.
The university further stated that, since Nnaji did not complete his studies, it could not have issued him any certificate.
It added that this position was consistent with a previous letter sent to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025.
In court documents filed in the suit, Nnaji admitted that he had not yet collected his degree certificate, contrary to the certificate he reportedly submitted to the Senate in August 2023 during his ministerial screening.
“Even though I am yet to collect my certificate from UNN due to the non-cooperative attitude of the university authorities, the institution had issued a letter dated December 21, 2023, to an online news platform confirming that I graduated in July 1985 with a Second Class (Lower Division) in Microbiology/Biochemistry,” he stated in his filing.
The minister had sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Oguejiofor Ujam, and the Senate of the institution as first to seventh respondents.
Nigerians Reacts
Netizens have reacted to the allegations of forgery against the Enugu born Uche Nnaji.
Taking to X, some spoke in support of Nnaji, while others called for his resignation or sack.
An X user known as ‘Unknown Lawmaker’ wondered if DSS scrutinized the certificates during Nnaji’s screening as Minister.
“I thought the Department of State Security scrutinises the certificates of ministerial nominees and submits their findings to the senate to aid them in their confirmation hearings. What’s this?”, he asked.
Another user, Chukwuemeka Azubuike, on his verified X handle, quizzed:
“Why did he forge when all he need[ed] was school cert? Or is it FSLC ?”
Hollumuyiwa102, another verified X user opined:
“It is disgraceful seeing some people in the comment section cheering and supporting this fraudulent act. Uche Nnaji’s forgery is a brazen assault on Nigeria’s integrity, a slap to every hardworking graduate who earned their degree through sweat and merit.
“His deception, lying to the President, the Senate and the people of Nigeria undermines trust in governance and mocks the values of honesty that should bind us. To his Igbo supporters shielding him, your tribal loyalty is a betrayal of justice. Defending a fraudster doesn’t uplift your community; it questions your integrity as a tribe and drags it into the mud of complicity.
“We’ve witnessed the same with former minister Kemi Adeosun where she faced a fierce nationwide condemnation and eventual sack.
“Demand his resignation, reject this disgrace and stand for truth over the tribe. Nigeria deserves leaders who don’t fake their way to power. Anything less is a collective failure.
“Fraud is fraud, no matter the tribe or tribe-mates cheering it on”.
On their part, the leadership of Enugu State APC Youth Wing led by Comr. Farmer Ezeh Chidiebere Johnson, condemned the allegation of certificate forgery against Nnaji, describing it “as a desperate attempt by political detractors to tarnish the hard earned image and reputation of the high performing Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology”.
In their statement which was obtained by PACESETTER, they expressed their “support for Chief Nnaji, urging party members and the general public to ignore the allegations and remain focused on the party’s goals…”
Shame on anyone trying shield or support this case of fraud. Chief Uche Nnaji must be forced to resign or be dismissed by the President.