Former Minister Uche Nnaji, UNN has opted for out-of-court settlement in certificate forgery case

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Monday opted for an out-of-court settlement of their dispute.

Nnaji has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the university from releasing his academic records following allegations of certificate forgery.

The former minister allegedly faked National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) degrees and certificates.

These accusations, through media reports, led to Nnaji’s resignation as minister in 2025.

Judge Hauwa Yilwa on February 26 scheduled Monday for the hearing of the lawsuit.

At the resumed hearing, Ope Muritala, who appeared on behalf of Nnaji, told the court that the case had been fixed for hearing of all pending applications.

But Muritala said there were “new developments as the parties are exploring an out-of-court settlement.”

He requested an adjournment so that the parties could explore an amicable resolution of the case.

READ ALSO: PDP lauds Makinde’s steady support for multi-party democracy

Lawyers for the Minister of Education, PC Ike, and his counterpart from the National Universities Commission (NUC), NH Obah told the court that they were unaware of the development.

Both said they heard the development in court.

However, they did not oppose Muritala’s proposal.

Meanwhile, Chidubem Ugwueze, representing the UNN and its officials, said that the principal counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), had informed him of the resolution plan.

He said the defendants did not oppose the reconciliation move but urged the court to “hear their motion for regularization” if talks fail.

Judge Yilwa refused to accept the application.

He said the motion would be considered if settlement efforts failed.

The judge then adjourned the case until July 8 to report the resolution.