The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped proceedings in a suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), over alleged certificate forgery.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa halted the hearing on Monday because the university’s legal representatives had yet to file their defense. The judge adjourned the matter to November 10 for further hearing.
Nnaji’s case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, was filed after allegations emerged that he forged his university certificate.
The minister had sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, and other top university officials.
The suit also named the UNN Registrar, a former acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate as additional respondents.
In his motion, Nnaji sought court orders preventing UNN and its officials from “tampering” with his academic records.
He also requested a mandamus writ compelling the university to release his academic transcript to him.
Furthermore, he urged the court to direct the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to ensure compliance by UNN.
Justice Yilwa had earlier granted three of Nnaji’s prayers on September 22 but declined to issue any restraining order against the university.
The case was then adjourned to October 6 for hearing.
When the matter came up again on Monday, Nnaji was represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for UNN and its officials.
However, no lawyer represented the Minister of Education or the NUC.
Hon told the court that all parties had been served.
He also claimed that after being served on September 29, UNN’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ortuanya, wrote a letter to Premium Times on October 2, stating that Nnaji was not a graduate of the university.
He said the online newspaper published the story titled “Investigation: The Serial Certificate Forger in President Tinubu’s Cabinet” on October 4, which he described as “damaging.”
The senior lawyer argued that the publication violated the court’s rule that all parties must maintain the status quo once leave is granted.
Hon said Nnaji would file additional documents in response to the development.
In reply, Asogwa told the court that although he would not validate Hon’s claims, his clients would maintain the status quo until the next hearing.
He also informed the court that the university still had time to submit its official response.
Justice Yilwa then adjourned the matter until November 10, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.
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