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Concerned lawyers and public interest analysts have called on the Federal Government to recover all salaries, allowances and other benefits paid to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, between 2023 and October 2025 over allegations of certificate forgery.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos, the group including Liborous Oshoma, Jiti Ogunye, Professor Anthony Kila, Debo Adeniran and Jimmy Abia, urged President Bola Tinubu not to allow the matter to be “swept under the carpet” and insisted that restitution would serve as a deterrent against future abuses of public office.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Liborous Oshoma said the former minister allegedly occupied public office and enjoyed the privileges attached to it under the pretense of possessing valid academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials.
According to the group, beyond the alleged forgery, the payments received by Nnaji while serving as minister raise issues of obtaining by false pretence.
“We demand a refund of all the salaries and allowances he drew from the Federal Government from 2023 to October 2025. This restitution is not only just, but also serves as a deterrent to others who may want to toe this same line,” Oshoma said.
The lawyers also urged the President to ensure that influential individuals do not frustrate the ongoing investigation into the allegations.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu and his government to ensure that this matter is no longer swept under the carpet by powerful individuals in and outside of government,” the group said.
The lawyers based their demands on reports that a Premium Times investigation published in October 2025 found that although Nnaji was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the 1981/82 academic session, he did not graduate after failing a Virology course.
According to the group, the report cited correspondences between Nnaji and the university’s Registry Department from 1985 to 1986 concerning the failed course, including a handwritten application requesting permission to retake the examination.
They further noted that a Federal Government investigative panel reportedly examined UNN academic records, registry files, graduation lists and other documents and reached the same conclusion that Nnaji did not graduate from the institution.
The lawyers also raised questions over the authenticity of the former minister’s NYSC discharge certificate, alleging inconsistencies in the service dates and the signature appearing on the document.
They referenced the arrest of the former minister by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), saying it followed the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
According to the ICPC, the arrest relates to investigations into allegations bordering on the forgery of a UNN degree certificate and a false NYSC discharge certificate submitted during Nnaji’s ministerial screening in 2023.
While commending the anti-graft agency for pursuing the matter, the group criticised what it described as delays in bringing the former minister to justice, arguing that influential public officials often receive preferential treatment compared to ordinary Nigerians.
The lawyers also called on the Federal Government to review all official actions and decisions taken by Nnaji while serving as minister, arguing that the allegations surrounding his credentials warrant a comprehensive assessment of his tenure in office.