An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps denied issuing certificates attributed to former Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Uche Nnaji.
Yakubu Ibrahim testified as the first prosecution witness in a case involving allegations that Nnaji presented false academic and national service documents during his 2023 ministerial screening. Nnaji faces a six count charge, according to the supplied court report. The allegations remain before the court and have not been determined by a final judgment.
Led by prosecution counsel J. A. Mumini, Ibrahim said investigators sought records from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the university and the NYSC after receiving petitions alleging certificate forgery.
He told the court that the university denied issuing the degree certificate in Microbiology and Biochemistry attributed to Nnaji and supplied academic records relating to his time at the institution. Ibrahim also said the NYSC denied issuing the discharge certificate examined by investigators.
The witness described attempts to invite Nnaji for questioning and said investigators later worked with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to secure his appearance. He said the defendant was questioned in July 2026.
During cross examination, defence counsel Wole Olanipekun challenged the scope and completeness of the investigation. Ibrahim acknowledged that he had not personally visited the university and did not know where the alleged documents had been produced. He also agreed that a later university letter rescinded an earlier withdrawal notice relating to a course.
These exchanges are material because the court must evaluate the authenticity of the documents, the reliability of the institutional records and the prosecution’s evidence as a whole. The witness’s testimony is not itself a judicial finding of guilt.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned further proceedings until November 3 after the prosecution concluded the witness’s evidence. Nnaji remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until the charges are proved in court.
