Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and other parties in a suit filed by the former Minister seeking to stop the release of his academic records are now exploring an out-of-court settlement
Nnaji had filed the suit in October, 2025 last year after he was alleged to have forged his degree and National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) certificates.
He was alleged to have submitted the certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening.
Apart from UNN (third defendant), other defendants include, the Minister of Education (first defendant), the National Universities Commission (NUC)(second defendant), the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya (fourth defendant), the registrar (fifth defendant), former acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofo Ujam (sixth defendant), and the Senate of the university, the seventh defendant.
However, the case could not proceed to full hearing since last year due to procedural issues, including service of court processes and pending preliminary objections.
When the matter was called on Monday, Ope Muritala who represented Nnaji told the court that the case was slated for hearing of all pending applications.
He told the court that, “There was a new development as parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement” and requested for an adjournment to allow discussions on the out-of-court settlement.
Counsel to the Minister of Education and the NUC, P. C Ike and N. H. Obah said they were not aware of the development and only heard of it “this morning in court.” They, however, did not oppose the request for settlement discussions.
Lawyer to the UNN and its officials (3rd to 7th defendants), Chidubem Ugwueze, said, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the lead counsel for the defence had informed him of the settlement discussions, which were relayed by Nnaji’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN.
He said the defendants were not opposed to settlement but urged the court to “hear their motion for regularisation” in case the talks fail.
However, the trial judge, Justice Hauwa Yilwa, declined to take the application, saying that the motion would be considered if the settlement efforts failed.
In view of the settlement discussions, Justice Yilwa adjourned the matter till July 8, 2026 following agreement of all the parties in the matter.
Nnaji, in an ex-parte motion in support of his suit, sought leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the University and its officials from tampering with his academic records.
He further sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its officials from interfering with his academic records pending determination of the substantive suit.
But UNN and the University officials in a preliminary objection urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction, with substantial costs against the 1st, 4th and 6th defendants on the ground that the application was filed outside the statutory time limit under Order 34 Rule 4(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act.
They further argued that the suit was incompetent because the motion for prerogative orders was wrongly filed, by Motion on Notice instead of an Originating Motion, as required by the rules.
They described the application as premature and speculative, arguing that no request for academic records had been denied and no evidence of interference had been shown.
The defendants also argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over matters relating to student academic records, examinations, results, and transcripts.
They further argued that internal remedies had not been exhausted and that no breach of fundamental rights had been established, adding that, no reasonable cause of action was disclosed against the 3rd to 7th defendants, including the Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, who acted in an official capacity.
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