Certificate Forgery Case: Nnaji Moves to Settle Dispute with UNN VC Out of Court

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, requesting a lengthy adjournment to allow him pursue an out-of-court settlement in the suit he filed against the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof.

Uchenna Ortuanya, and other respondents.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, was instituted before Nnaji resigned from office following allegations of certificate forgery leveled against him.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, its Registrar, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Oguejiofor Ujam, and the University Senate.
When the matter came up on Monday before Justice Hauwa Yilwa Joseph, Nnaji’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and Prof. S.T. Hon, SAN, were not in court. However, a legal team led by Opeyemi Muritala represented the applicant and informed the court that efforts had begun toward resolving the dispute amicably.
Muritala therefore requested a long adjournment to give all parties time to explore settlement options.
Counsel representing the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission stated that they had not received formal notice of any settlement discussions but would seek instructions from their clients.
On their part, counsel to the Vice-Chancellor and other respondents, Chidubem Ugwunweze, Esq., alongside Chiamaka Anagu, Mike Uche, Esq., and Doris Ifunanya Onah, told the court that their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, had been contacted by Chief Olanipekun regarding the possibility of resolving the matter out of court.
With no objections raised to the adjournment request, Justice Joseph adjourned the case to July 8, 2026, either for a report on settlement efforts or for continuation of hearing.
Meanwhile, Nnaji is yet to respond to the counter-affidavit filed by Prof. Ortuanya, which challenges the competence of the originating motion for prerogative relief submitted on January 9, 2026.