Ex-Minister and UNN Commence Out-of-Court Negotiations in Alleged Forgery Dispute
A former Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Uche Nnaji, along with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other involved parties, have started moves to resolve a certificate forgery case through out-of-court talks, effectively pausing further legal actions. This development was revealed during a scheduled proceeding before Justice Hauwa Yilwa at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday.
Background of the Legal Battle
Nnaji had filed a lawsuit in October 2025 after an online media investigation alleged that he forged his first-degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. The report further criticized him for submitting these documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening process. In response to the ensuing controversy, Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position, stating he did not want the issue to distract from the administration's activities.
Since its initiation, the case has faced numerous procedural delays, including challenges with serving court documents and multiple preliminary objections raised by the defendants. These setbacks have stalled progress in the legal proceedings until now.
Court Proceedings and Settlement Discussions
During yesterday's hearing, Nnaji's counsel, Ope Muritala, informed the court that although the session was intended for pending applications, a new development had emerged. He explained that the parties are exploring an amicable resolution and requested an adjournment to allow negotiations to continue. "There is a new development as parties are exploring an out-of-court settlement," Muritala stated in court.
Lawyers representing the first defendant, the Minister of Education, and the second defendant, the National Universities Commission, P.C. Ike and N.H. Obah respectively, noted they were unaware of the settlement discussions until arriving at court. However, they did not oppose the request for an adjournment to facilitate the talks.
Meanwhile, counsel for the third to seventh defendants, including UNN and its principal officers, Chidubem Ugwueze, confirmed that the move towards settlement had been communicated earlier. He informed the court that Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chris Uche, leading the defence team, had relayed this information, which originated from another Senior Advocate, Wole Olanipekun, who represents Nnaji.
Implications and Next Steps
The initiation of out-of-court talks marks a significant shift in this high-profile case, potentially leading to a resolution without a protracted legal battle. If successful, it could avoid further public scrutiny and legal costs for all parties involved. The court has granted the adjournment to enable continued negotiations, with future proceedings dependent on the outcome of these discussions.
This case highlights ongoing issues related to document verification and integrity in public office appointments in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in governance processes.
