The University of Nigeria, Nsukka UNN, and its Vice-Chancellor have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over alleged certificate forgery.
The institution, alongside other officials, in a preliminary objection, urged Justice Hauwa Yilwa to strike out the case for being statute-barred and wrongly initiated. They argued that the motion was filed outside the three-month window prescribed by law and failed to comply with procedural requirements.
Nnaji had approached the court after allegations surfaced that he forged his academic certificate. In his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, he sought an order prohibiting the university from tampering with his academic records and compelling it to release his transcript.
He joined the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, its Registrar, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the university Senate as respondents.
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When the case was called on Monday, Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court that counsel to the university, Prisca Udoka (SAN), had served a notice of preliminary objection earlier that morning and indicated plans to file a counter affidavit.
Although ready to proceed, Olanipekun requested a new date for a definite hearing. Justice Yilwa subsequently adjourned the matter until January 13, 2026, and directed that hearing notices be served on parties absent in court.
The UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, and Prof. Ujam maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction over academic matters such as examination results and transcript requests, arguing that internal remedies had not been exhausted.
They further contended that the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction, as outlined in Section 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), does not extend to student academic records unless a fundamental right has been breached.
The university’s counsel also sought substantial costs in favour of the defendants, insisting that the suit was speculative and premature since there was no prior evidence of interference with Nnaji’s academic records.
The court adjourned for a full hearing on the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.
