A group of lawyers and public interest advocates have called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the ongoing investigation into alleged certificate forgery involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is not hindered by political influence.

The appeal was made during a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, where the group, led by Liborous Oshoma, commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for arresting the former minister but expressed concern over what it described as the slow pace of the investigation.

The lawyers argued that Nnaji’s resignation from office in 2025 does not exempt him from prosecution and urged the anti-corruption agency to pursue the case to its conclusion.

According to the ICPC, Nnaji was arrested after allegedly failing on several occasions to honour invitations over claims that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria (UNN) and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The allegations stem from a two-year investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES in October 2025, which reported that although Nnaji was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry at UNN during the 1981/82 academic session, he did not graduate after failing a compulsory Virology course and was never awarded a degree certificate by the institution.

The publication also alleged that the NYSC discharge certificate he presented during the screening process was forged.

Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after the report was published. Subsequently, a Federal Government panel constituted by the Minister of Education examined the university’s academic records, graduation lists and registry documents, and reportedly reached the same conclusion that he did not graduate from UNN.

The ICPC said it obtained an arrest warrant from the Federal High Court after informing the court that the former minister had repeatedly failed to respond to invitations for questioning.

Although Nnaji initially denied that any arrest warrant had been issued against him, he later challenged the court’s decision through an appeal.

At the briefing, the lawyers said the findings of both the investigative report and the government panel had strengthened the basis for criminal prosecution.

They also referenced correspondence reportedly exchanged between Nnaji and the University of Nigeria registry between November 1985 and May 1986, including a handwritten request seeking permission to retake a failed Virology examination after missing an earlier sitting due to ill health.

According to the group, the former minister also acknowledged in a separate court filing that the university did not issue him a degree certificate, raising questions about the authenticity of the certificate dated July 1985 that was later submitted during his nomination as minister.

The lawyers further alleged that the NYSC discharge certificate contained discrepancies, including service dates indicating that national service commenced before the claimed graduation date, as well as the signature of a former NYSC Director-General who, they claimed, was not in office when the certificate was purportedly issued.

They urged President Tinubu to ensure that the investigation proceeds without interference from influential individuals.

The group also called for Nnaji to refund all salaries, allowances and other benefits received during his tenure as minister from 2023 to October 2025 if the allegations are established in court, arguing that the payments were obtained under false pretences.

In addition, they asked the Federal Government to review official decisions and actions taken during his time in office, insisting that accountability should go beyond criminal prosecution.

(Photo Credit: PremiumTimes)