Federal High Court Mandates Investigation into Interior Minister's Academic Credentials
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that compels an investigation into the academic qualifications of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Justice Binta Nyako granted the application filed by activist Emorioloye Owolemi, who raised concerns about the authenticity of Tunji-Ojo's Secondary School Certificate obtained from the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Legal Proceedings and Application Details
Philemon Yakubu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing the applicant, sought leave through a motion ex parte under Order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019. The application cited sections 1, 20, and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to request the probe. However, in a separate ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of another Federal High Court declined a similar application that aimed to inquire into the legality of the minister's National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate.
ICPC Launches Investigation into Former Minister's Certificate Forgery Allegations
Simultaneously, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated an investigation into a certificate forgery scandal involving Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology under President Tinubu. Sources close to the matter revealed that the anti-graft agency has written to George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding the documents Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment.
Additionally, the ICPC has reached out to the Nigerian Senate to request the same documents, as reported by Premium Times. The sources indicated that if evidence of forgery is found, the former minister could face prosecution. While it remains unconfirmed whether the ICPC has contacted the National Youth Service Corps regarding Nnaji's alleged forged certificate, there are indications of ongoing discussions between the two agencies.
University Registrar's Conflicting Statements on Nnaji's Graduation Records
Celine Nnebedum, the registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has appeared before ICPC investigators to clarify the university's position on the scandal. In a previous response to a Freedom of Information request from the People's Gazetteer Newspaper in 2024, Nnebedum stated that Nnaji was admitted to UNN in 1981 and graduated in 1985. However, in a reversal during a May 2025 response to the Public Complaints Commission, she informed the PCC that the university's search of graduation records for the 1985 session did not include Nnaji's name, raising significant discrepancies.
Minister Tunji-Ojo Addresses Recruitment Portal Issues
In related developments, Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has intervened in nationwide complaints regarding the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) recruitment portal. Applicants have reported difficulties accessing the portal for verification of their application status. In a social media statement on Friday, October 31, the minister ordered the immediate resolution of all technical issues affecting the portal to ensure smooth operations.
