An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Superintendent of Police Yakubu Ibrahim, has told a 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, during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Ibrahim gave the testimony on Monday while appearing as the first prosecution witness in Nnaji’s trial over allegations bordering on certificate forgery, corruption, conferring corrupt advantage and providing false information.
The former minister is facing a six-count charge in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, J. A. Mumini (SAN), the investigator said the ICPC commenced its investigation after receiving two petitions alleging certificate forgery against Nnaji.
He explained that investigators requested relevant documents from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, UNN and the NYSC as part of their inquiries.
According to Ibrahim, the ICPC contacted UNN to authenticate a Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry allegedly submitted by Nnaji to the Senate.
He told the court that the university responded that it did not issue the certificate attributed to the former minister.
The investigator also said the NYSC disowned a discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986, allegedly associated with Nnaji, maintaining that it did not issue the document.
Ibrahim identified correspondence between the commission and the two institutions when shown the documents in court. The prosecution sought to tender them in evidence, while defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said he would allow their admission at that stage but reserve his objection until later.
The witness further testified that UNN provided academic records relating to Nnaji, including a withdrawal notice dated November 7, 1984, marked Exhibit C.
He said the university’s explanation indicated that students who failed to meet the required academic standards were not qualified for the award of a certificate.
According to his testimony, Nnaji failed at two stages and did not sit for an examination at a third stage for medical reasons. He added that the former minister subsequently took a supplementary examination for which, according to the witness, he had not registered.
During cross-examination, Olanipekun questioned the investigator about the scope of the investigation and the evidence gathered.
Ibrahim admitted that he did not personally visit UNN during the investigation and could not identify the faculty to which Nnaji had been admitted.
He, however, said members of the investigating team interviewed the university’s Registrar.
The witness also told the court that investigators did not establish where the allegedly forged certificates were produced.
On the former minister’s national service history, Ibrahim said the team did not investigate where Nnaji served because the NYSC had stated that it did not issue the disputed certificate.
He further disclosed that investigators initially could not locate Nnaji’s address. An invitation dated May 5, 2026, was subsequently sent to his email address and WhatsApp number.
Following his failure to honour the invitation, the ICPC reportedly worked with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest him on July 1.
Ibrahim said Nnaji was questioned and made statements dated July 1 and 2.
The witness also acknowledged a defence suggestion that a subsequent letter dated March 18, 1985, rescinded the earlier withdrawal notice, adding that the notice concerned a course in General Microbiology.
He said the investigation did not establish the number of years students were expected to spend studying Microbiology at the university.
At the conclusion of cross-examination, the prosecution did not re-examine the witness.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently discharged Ibrahim as a witness and adjourned further hearing until November 3.
Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position following the certificate controversy.
The former minister is also reported to be the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State. Vanguard reported that he did not include the disputed degree certificate in his Independent National Electoral Commission filing ahead of the election.
The ongoing trial is expected to provide further judicial scrutiny of the allegations, the documents presented and the responses of the parties involved.
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