FORGERY: Why Uche Nnaji pleaded for out-of-Court settlement

Former Minister for Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji is seeking an out-of-court settlement because his legal attempt to block the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, from releasing his academic records failed, and the university has evidence contradicting his claims.

Nnaji has in the resumed hearing of the certificate forgery case he instituted against the foremost university asked for out of court settlement and was granted.

A Nigerian media outfit had investigated Nnaji’s academic credentials after he submitted a UNN degree and NYSC certificate during his ministerial confirmation. The investigation found he did not complete his studies at UNN and that both certificates were forged.

Apparently disturbed that he was under scrutiny, Nnaji filed suit _FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025_ at the Federal High Court, Abuja where he asked for an order compelling UNN to release his transcript and an injunction stopping UNN from releasing or “tampering with” his academic records.

His goal was to prevent UNN from confirming publicly that he never graduated, but the court rejected his bid to hide the records.

On September 22, 2025, Justice Hauwa Yilwa ruled on his ex parte motion. The judge granted some procedural prayers but “declined” the injunction he wanted. She said: “The approved reliefs should not be interpreted as restraining any party from carrying out its lawful duties."

Before Nnaji could get an injunction, UNN VC Prof. Simon Ortuanya had already responded to _Premium Times’_ FOI request. He stated that “From our records, we cannot confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji... graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985”. The registrar corroborated this. 

An FG panel also “nailed” Nnaji and confirmed he forged the UNN certificate. 

"Nnaji is seeking for out of court settlement because he lost the key relief. Court refused to stop UNN from disclosing his records and UNN has already disclosed it: the VC and registrar have issued letters saying he didn’t graduate and no certificate was issued.

"Take note also that the case is weak. UNN filed a preliminary objection asking the court to dismiss Nnaji’s suit for being statute-barred and incompetent.

"There is also the Political angle to it. With the court refusing to gag UNN, and UNN plus an FG panel confirming the forgery, Nnaji has little leverage. An out-of-court settlement is his way to limit further damage, avoid a full trial that would put more damaging evidence on record, and possibly stop UNN from pursuing costs or other actions," analysts say.