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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Olanipekun suggested that a subsequent letter dated March 18, 1985, had rescinded the university’s earlier withdrawal notice.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.
