An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Yakubu Ibrahim, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied issuing the degree and discharge certificates allegedly submitted by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Ibrahim, a superintendent of police and the prosecution’s first witness, gave the testimony on Monday while appearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in the ongoing trial of Nnaji, who is facing charges bordering on alleged certificate forgery, fraud, corruption and the provision of false information.
The investigator said the ICPC launched its investigation following two petitions against the former minister. According to him, the commission contacted relevant institutions to verify the authenticity of the certificates.
He told the court that UNN provided Nnaji’s academic records, which indicated that he was admitted to the institution but did not graduate or receive the disputed Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology and Biochemistry.
The witness also referred to a notice of withdrawal issued by the university in November 1984 over Nnaji’s repeated failure to meet the required academic standard in a general microbiology course.
Ibrahim explained that the university’s policy prevented students who repeatedly failed a course from qualifying for a degree. He alleged that Nnaji failed at two stages of assessment, missed a third examination for medical reasons and later sat for a supplementary examination for which he had not registered.
However, during cross-examination, Nnaji’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, drew the witness’s attention to a subsequent letter dated March 1985, which reportedly rescinded the earlier withdrawal notice. Ibrahim acknowledged seeing the letter.
The investigator also admitted that he did not personally visit the university campus during the investigation. He explained that the team relied on information obtained through an interview with the institution’s registrar.
Regarding the NYSC certificate, Ibrahim told the court that the corps denied issuing the document. He said investigators did not establish where the former minister allegedly obtained it, explaining that the NYSC’s response informed their decision not to investigate where he carried out his national service.
The witness further disclosed that Nnaji was invited for questioning but did not honour an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to his arrest on July 1, 2026.
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 following allegations surrounding his academic credentials. He is now the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election.
The court admitted the documents presented by the prosecution as evidence, while the defence reserved its objections for a later stage of the proceedings.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until November 3 for further proceedings.
Nnaji has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
