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) disowned certificates allegedly presented by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to the Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Ibrahim, a Superintendent of Police, testified on Monday as the first prosecution witness in the six-count criminal case against Nnaji, which is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026.
The charges border on alleged corruption, fraud, conferring corrupt advantage and providing false information through the alleged presentation of forged university and national service certificates.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, J. A. Mumini (SAN), the witness said he was part of the ICPC team that investigated two petitions alleging certificate forgery against the former minister.
He told the court that the commission’s Special Task Force directed an investigation after receiving the petitions, prompting investigators to request relevant documents from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, UNN and the NYSC.
According to Ibrahim, the team wrote to UNN to authenticate a Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology and Biochemistry allegedly submitted by Nnaji during his ministerial screening.
He said the university responded that it did not issue the certificate attributed to the former minister.
The witness also said the NYSC disowned a discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986, stating that the organisation had not issued the document to Nnaji.
ICPC Obtained Nnaji’s Academic Records
Ibrahim further testified that UNN provided investigators with the defendant’s academic records, including a notice of withdrawal issued over his failure to meet the required grade in a course.
When shown correspondence between the ICPC and the two institutions, the witness identified the documents. The prosecution subsequently sought to tender them in evidence.
Defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said he would not oppose their admission at that stage but reserved the right to challenge them later.
On the efforts made to interview Nnaji, Ibrahim said the head of his section issued an invitation, but investigators were unable to locate the defendant’s address.
He said a copy of the invitation, dated May 5, 2026, was later sent to Nnaji’s email address and WhatsApp number.
According to the witness, after Nnaji failed to honour the invitation, the ICPC worked with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to secure his arrest on July 1.
Ibrahim added that the former minister was questioned and made statements dated July 1 and 2.
Witness Admits Investigation Limitations
During cross-examination by Olanipekun, Ibrahim admitted that he did not personally visit UNN during the investigation and did not know the faculty to which Nnaji had been admitted.
He, however, maintained that members of the investigating team interviewed the university’s registrar.
Asked whether investigators established where the allegedly forged certificates were produced, Ibrahim said he did not know.
He also told the court that Nnaji made no comment on the allegations when questioned by investigators.
On whether the ICPC investigated where the former minister completed his national service, the witness said the team did not pursue the matter because the NYSC had stated that it did not issue the disputed certificate.
“The NYSC said the certificate was not issued by it, which was why we didn’t inquire where he served,” he told the court.
The witness also identified a notice of withdrawal supplied by UNN, which was marked Exhibit C and dated November 7, 1984.
He said the university explained in its correspondence the grading policy governing eligibility for the award of a degree, including the consequences of repeated failure in a course.
According to Ibrahim, Nnaji failed at two stages and did not sit for the examination at the third stage for medical reasons.
The witness further said the former minister subsequently sat for a supplementary examination for which, according to the university’s records as presented in court, he had not registered.
However, when Olanipekun suggested that a subsequent letter dated March 18, 1985, had rescinded the earlier withdrawal notice, Ibrahim agreed, adding that the notice concerned a course in General Microbiology.
The investigator also acknowledged that the team did not establish the number of years students studying Microbiology were expected to spend at the university.
Court Adjourns Case Until November 3
At the conclusion of cross-examination, the prosecution did not re-examine the witness.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently discharged Ibrahim from the witness stand and adjourned further hearing until November 3.
Nnaji, who resigned as minister following the certificate controversy, is also reported to be preparing for the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State as a PDP candidate.
The report states that he did not include the disputed degree certificate in his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filing ahead of the election.
The allegations against Nnaji remain before the court. The testimony presented on Monday forms part of the prosecution’s case and does not, by itself, establish the defendant’s guilt.
