An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told a federal high court in Abuja that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied issuing certificates allegedly presented by Uche Nnaji to the senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Yakubu Ibrahim, a superintendent of police and the first
prosecution witness, testified on Monday during the trial of the former
minister of innovation, science and technology, who is facing a six-count
charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and providing false information.
Ibrahim said the ICPC investigated two petitions alleging
certificate forgery against Nnaji and sought to authenticate his bachelor’s
degree certificate in microbiology and biochemistry from UNN and his NYSC
discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986.
According to the witness, UNN responded that it did not
issue the degree certificate attributed to Nnaji, while the NYSC also denied
issuing the discharge certificate.
The investigator said UNN also provided Nnaji’s academic
records, including a withdrawal notice dated November 7, 1984, relating to a
course in general microbiology.
He told the court that the university explained that
students who failed to obtain the required grade after four attempts were
ineligible for a degree.
During cross-examination by Wole Olanipekun, Nnaji’s
counsel, Ibrahim admitted that he did not visit UNN during the investigation
and could not identify where the alleged certificates were forged.
He, however, said members of the investigating team
interviewed the university’s registrar.
The witness also said the ICPC did not investigate where
Nnaji completed his national service because the NYSC had denied issuing the
certificate.
“The NYSC said the certificate was not issued by it, which
was why we didn’t inquire where he served,” he told the court.
Olanipekun suggested that a subsequent letter dated March
18, 1985, had rescinded the university’s earlier withdrawal notice. Ibrahim
agreed that the notice concerned general microbiology.
The witness also said investigators invited Nnaji by email
and WhatsApp after they could not locate his address. He said the former
minister was arrested on July 1 after failing to honour the invitation,
following which he made statements to investigators on July 1 and 2.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, the prosecution
did not re-examine the witness.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, discharged Ibrahim
and adjourned further hearing until November 3.
Nnaji is facing a six-count charge filed by the Independent
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged
certificate forgery, false information and corruption.
He was arraigned on July 13 and pleaded not guilty to all
the charges.
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