Abuja: The former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, along with the defendants, including the University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN), have opted for an out-of-court settlement in their ongoing dispute. Nnaji had filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the university from releasing his academic records amid allegations of certificate forgery.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the allegations of forgery, which emerged through a media report, led to Nnaji’s resignation as Nigeria’s minister in 2025. As the plaintiff, Nnaji faced accusations of forging his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. Justice Hauwa Yilwa had initially scheduled the hearing for February 26, with the case resuming for the hearing of pending applications.
During the resumed hearing, Ope Muritala, representing Nnaji, informed the court of a new development where parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement. Muritala requested an adjournment to allow the parties to pursue a peaceful resolution. Lawyers for the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) expressed their surprise at the development but did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Chidubem Ugwueze, representing UNN and its officials, confirmed that the lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, had informed him of the settlement plan. The defendants did not oppose the reconciliatory move but requested the court to consider their motion for regularisation in case the talks failed. Justice Yilwa declined to take the application but stated that it would be considered if settlement efforts were unsuccessful. The judge adjourned the matter until July 8 for a report on the settlement.
Nnaji, in an ex-parte motion, had sought a court order to prohibit the university and its officials from tampering with his academic records. He also requested a prerogative writ of mandamus to compel the release of his academic transcript and sought an interim injunction to prevent interference with his academic records pending the suit’s resolution. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, listed the Minister of Education, NUC, UNN, and others as respondents.
In response, the 3rd to 7th defendants filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction and requested substantial costs in their favor. They argued that Nnaji’s motion was not filed within the required timeframe, rendering the proceedings incompetent. Additionally, they claimed that the court lacked jurisdiction over student academic records and that internal remedies had not been exhausted.
The dispute has highlighted procedural and jurisdictional challenges, with both parties now seeking an amicable resolution outside the court. The outcome of the settlement talks remains to be seen, with further developments expected in the coming months.