By Correspondent in Abuja.
Hearing in the suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and others was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that the case, which borders on allegations of certificate forgery against the minister, could not proceed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa due to the failure of counsel representing UNN and its officials to file their responses.
Consequently, Justice Yilwa adjourned the matter until November 10 for hearing.
The Reporters recalls that Nnaji instituted the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, following allegations of certificate forgery leveled against him.
The minister listed the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, as the 1st to 4th respondents. Also joined in the suit were the Registrar of UNN, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate as the 5th to 7th respondents, respectively.
In an ex-parte motion, Nnaji sought an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the university and its officials from tampering with his academic records.
He also prayed for a writ of mandamus compelling the university to release his academic transcript and urged the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to ensure compliance.
The mimister further sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its officials from interfering with his academic records pending the determination of the substantive suit.
On September 22, Justice Yilwa granted three of the reliefs sought but declined to issue any injunctive order against the respondents, adjourning the case until October 6 for further hearing.
At Monday’s proceedings, Nnaji was represented by Sebastine Hon (SAN), while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the 3rd to 7th respondents. However, no counsel appeared for the Minister of Education or the NUC.
Hon informed the court that all parties had been duly served, noting that the 3rd to 7th respondents were served on September 29, alleging that the 4th respondent, Prof. Ortuanya, wrote a letter to Premium Times on October 2, shortly after being served, asserting that Nnaji was not a graduate of UNN.
The senior lawyer told the court that the newspaper subsequently published a report on October 4 titled “Investigation: The Serial Certificate Forger in President Tinubu’s Cabinet,” which he described as “damaging” to his client’s reputation.
Hon argued that by publishing such a statement after being served, the respondents violated the principle that once leave is granted in such matters, all parties must maintain the status quo. He said his client would file further processes in view of the development.
Responding, Asogwa said he would not give credibility to Hon’s claims but assured the court that his clients would be advised to maintain the status quo pending the substantive hearing. He also noted that the 3rd to 7th respondents were still within the time frame allowed to file their responses.
Justice Yilwa thereafter adjourned the case to November 10 for hearing.
