The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned a civil suit filed by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, until 15 February 2027. According to Premium Times, the court made the decision on Wednesday after the counsel for the first respondent, the Minister of Education, was absent from the hearing. The suit was originally initiated by Nnaji to prevent the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from responding to media inquiries about his academic credentials.
Nnaji’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akintola Makinde, informed the court that the first respondent was not represented. Makinde also highlighted a pending motion to regularize processes filed in the matter, noting that hearing notices had been served. Chris Uche, appearing for respondents three through seven, recalled that the court had previously granted part of an application to regularize processes on 8 January, though a second prayer remained unresolved. Uche assured the judge that outstanding issues would be addressed administratively.
The core of Nnaji’s lawsuit involves an ex-parte motion seeking prerogative writs to stop UNN and its officials from tampering with his academic records. He also sought a writ of mandamus to compel the university to release his transcript, asking the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission to exercise supervisory powers. Additionally, he requested an interim injunction to restrain the university from interfering with his records pending the suit's determination.
Respondents filed preliminary objections arguing the court lacked jurisdiction. They contended that the motion for leave was not filed within the required three-month window, violating Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules and the Public Officers Protection Act. They further argued that the matter concerned student academic records, which fall outside the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court as specified in the Constitution. The defendants also claimed that internal remedies had not been exhausted and that no reasonable cause of action was disclosed against the respondents, particularly UNN Vice-Chancellor Simon Ortuanya.
Premium Times reported that its investigation, published on 7 October 2023, revealed Nnaji forged his UNN degree and NYSC certificates, which he submitted during his 2023 ministerial confirmation. The university confirmed he was admitted in 1981 but never graduated. Nnaji resigned three days after the report. He is currently facing criminal charges for certificate forgery and money laundering before the same court, having been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in June.