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 former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The investigator, Yakubu Ibrahim, a superintendent of police and the first prosecution witness, disclosed this on Monday while testifying in Nnaji’s trial over a six-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and the provision of false information.

Ibrahim said the commission investigated two petitions alleging certificate forgery against the former minister, focusing on his purported bachelor’s degree certificate in microbiology and biochemistry from UNN and an NYSC discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986.

According to him, the university informed the ICPC that it did not issue the degree certificate attributed to Nnaji, while the NYSC similarly denied issuing the discharge certificate.

The witness further told the court that UNN supplied Nnaji’s academic records, including a withdrawal notice dated November 7, 1984, concerning a course in general microbiology.

He said the university explained that students who failed to obtain the required grade after four attempts were not eligible for a degree.

However, during cross-examination by Nnaji’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun, Ibrahim admitted that he did not visit the university during the investigation and could not identify where the allegedly forged certificates were produced.

He maintained, however, that members of the investigating team interviewed the university’s registrar.

The investigator also disclosed that 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,” Ibrahim told the court.

During the proceedings, Olanipekun suggested that a subsequent letter dated March 18, 1985, had rescinded the university’s earlier withdrawal notice. Ibrahim agreed that the notice related to general microbiology.

The witness further said investigators invited Nnaji through email and WhatsApp after they were unable to locate his address.

According to him, the former minister was arrested on July 1 after failing to honour the invitation and subsequently made statements to investigators on July 1 and 2.

At the conclusion of the cross-examination, the prosecution declined to re-examine the witness.

The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently discharged Ibrahim and adjourned further proceedings until November 3.

Nnaji is facing six charges filed by the ICPC over allegations of certificate forgery, providing false information and corruption. He was arraigned on July 13 and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The case is expected to resume on November 3 as proceedings continue over the allegations against the former minister.