HURIWA Calls for Transparency in Nnaji Certificate Controversy

HURIWA Calls for Transparency in Nnaji Certificate Controversy

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for transparency and fairness in the handling of the controversy surrounding the academic records of former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji.

The rights advocacy group made the call on Tuesday during a press conference in Abuja, where its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged relevant authorities and institutions to ensure that the matter is handled without bias.

HURIWA expressed concern over reports circulating in some sections of the media suggesting that a federal government investigative panel had already confirmed allegations of certificate forgery against the former minister.

The group, however, said clarifications by Nnaji’s Special Adviser, Robert Ngwu, indicated that the panel referenced in the reports was not constituted to investigate whether the former minister forged a certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

According to HURIWA, Ngwu explained that the panel was set up following a petition submitted by Nnaji to the Federal Ministry of Education over alleged misconduct by certain officials of the university.

The organisation said the clarification was significant, noting that the panel had yet to release any official findings on the issue.

“In matters involving sensitive academic records and political figures, the credibility of the investigative process must be protected at all costs. Where questions arise about possible conflicts of interest, the appropriate institutional response is transparency and recusal,” Onwubiko said.

HURIWA also noted that the dispute concerning Nnaji’s academic records is currently before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, where the former minister is seeking an order compelling the university to release his academic transcript.

The group said the document was reportedly requested by Nnaji from the institution in May 2025.

According to the organisation, when the case came up on February 26 before Justice Joseph Yilwa, proceedings could not continue due to procedural issues, including the absence of proof of service in the court file and the need for some respondents’ filings to be properly regularised.

HURIWA added that the adjournment sought by counsel representing the university was not opposed by the former minister’s legal team from the chambers of Wole Olanipekun and Sebastine Hon.

Beyond the legal proceedings, the group said the petition submitted by Nnaji to the education ministry contained allegations of intimidation, unlawful access to confidential student records and possible tampering with academic documents by certain officials of the university.

It further noted that the petition raised concerns that personal academic data may have been disclosed without authorisation, a development that could potentially violate provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other public service regulations.

HURIWA also referenced claims that a document allegedly used to justify certain administrative actions within the university had been queried by the Public Complaints Commission, which reportedly indicated that the letter attributed to its office was fraudulent and that no complaint had been filed against the former minister.

While acknowledging that the allegations and counter-allegations must ultimately be resolved by the courts and other relevant authorities, the organisation urged the public and the media to avoid drawing premature conclusions.

HURIWA emphasised that the integrity of Nigeria’s academic institutions must be protected and warned against actions that could undermine public confidence in university record-keeping processes.

“HURIWA believes that both the integrity of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the reputation of individuals involved in the controversy can only be protected through a transparent process guided strictly by facts, evidence and the rule of law,” Onwubiko said.

The organisation therefore called on relevant stakeholders to ensure that all investigations into the issues raised in Nnaji’s petition are conducted in a credible and impartial manner while the court determines the legal aspects of the dispute.