By Ayo Ayodele
The hearing of a suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to the failure of the university’s counsel to file their response.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa adjourned the matter to November 10, 2025, for hearing.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, was filed following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against Nnaji. The Minister is challenging the claims and seeking several court orders to compel UNN to release his academic transcript and stop any alleged tampering with his academic records.
The respondents in the case include the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the Registrar, a former acting Vice-Chancellor, and the university’s Senate.
During Monday’s proceedings, Nnaji was represented by Sebastine Hon (SAN), while E.M. Asogwa appeared for UNN and its officials. No counsel appeared for the Minister of Education or the NUC.
Hon told the court that despite being served with the court papers on September 29, the UNN Vice-Chancellor allegedly wrote to Premium Times on October 2, denying that Nnaji was a graduate of the university. The letter, he claimed, led to a damaging publication titled “Investigation: The Serial Certificate Forger in President Tinubu’s Cabinet.”
He argued that such actions violated the rule of maintaining status quo after court processes had been served.
In response, Asogwa said his clients would maintain the status quo and file their responses within the stipulated time.
Justice Yilwa consequently adjourned the case until November 10 for hearing.