Uche Nnaji v. UNN: Parties Opt for Out‑of‑Court Settlement in Certificate Forgery Dispute
The former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the defendants, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have agreed to explore an out‑of‑court settlement in the ongoing dispute over allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, seeking to restrain UNN from releasing his academic records. The suit arose following media reports alleging that the former minister forged his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates—allegations that precipitated his resignation from office in 2025.
The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, joined multiple respondents: the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Ortuanya, the Registrar, and the Senate of the university.
Nnaji sought an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs of mandamus compelling UNN to release his academic transcript.
He also an interim injunctions restraining UNN and its officials from tampering with his academic records pending determination of the substantive suit.
He equally sought supervisory intervention by the Minister of Education and NUC to compel compliance by UNN.
At the resumed hearing, Nnaji’s counsel, Ope Muritala, informed the court that parties were exploring reconciliation. He applied for adjournment to allow settlement talks. Counsel for the Minister of Education and NUC expressed surprise at the development but did not oppose the application. Counsel for UNN, Chidubem Ugwueze, confirmed that lead counsel Chris Uche, SAN had communicated the settlement plan.
Justice Yilwa adjourned the matter to July 8 for a report on settlement, declining to entertain pending motions until reconciliation efforts are exhausted.
The 3rd to 7th defendants had earlier raised objections, arguing that:
– The ex‑parte motion was filed outside the three‑month limitation under Order 34 Rule 4(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
– The suit contravened Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act, 2004, rendering proceedings incompetent.
– The substantive motion was wrongly brought by motion on notice instead of originating motion, contrary to Order 34 Rule 5(1).
– No evidence existed of interference with Nnaji’s records prior to commencement of the action.
– The Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over matters concerning student academic records, which do not fall under the exclusive jurisdiction in Section 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
– Internal remedies had not been exhausted, and no fundamental rights breach was disclosed.
They further argued that no reasonable cause of action was established against the respondents, particularly Prof. Ortuanya, who acted solely in his official capacity as Vice‑Chancellor.
