Dr. Robert Ngwu, Special Adviser to former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Uche Nnaji, has dismissed reports claiming that a Federal Government investigative panel confirmed allegations of certificate forgery against the former minister.
Ngwu made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, stressing that the panel referenced in some media reports was not established to determine whether Nnaji forged a certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
According to Ngwu, the investigative panel was constituted following a petition submitted by Nnaji to the Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria), alleging misconduct by certain officials of the university.
He explained that the panel’s mandate was to examine claims of intimidation and alleged administrative misconduct rather than investigate the authenticity of Nnaji’s academic credentials.
“The panel referenced in media reports was never constituted to determine whether Chief Uche Nnaji forged a certificate,” Ngwu said.
“It was set up following his petition to investigate alleged misconduct by certain university officials. It is therefore misleading for any publication to suggest that the panel has already established certificate forgery when its official findings have not even been released.”
Ngwu further noted that the matter relating to Nnaji’s academic records is currently before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, making it inappropriate for individuals or organisations to speculate on the outcome of the case.
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He urged the public to wait for both the investigative panel’s official report and the final judicial determination before drawing conclusions.
According to the statement, Nnaji’s petition accused certain officials of the University of Nigeria, including the Vice-Chancellor, of intimidation and unlawful access to confidential student records.
The petition also alleged that the officials tampered with academic records and disclosed personal academic information without authorisation.
Ngwu added that such actions, if proven, could contravene provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other public service regulations governing the handling of sensitive information.
The aide also referenced a document allegedly used to justify the actions of the university administration.
According to him, the Public Complaints Commission confirmed that a letter purportedly issued from its office in relation to the matter was fraudulent.
He said the commission stated that no complaint had been filed against Nnaji and that the individual whose name appeared as the author of the letter was not a staff member of the commission.
Ngwu disclosed that the dispute over Nnaji’s academic records is currently the subject of a legal case before the Federal High Court.
He said the former minister is seeking a court order compelling the University of Nigeria to release his academic transcript, which he reportedly requested from the institution as far back as May 2025.
According to him, proceedings during the February 26 sitting before H. J. Yilwa could not proceed due to procedural issues.
He explained that the court file lacked proof of service, while some filings by respondents had not been properly regularised.
Counsel representing the university leadership subsequently requested an adjournment to address the procedural gaps, a move that was not opposed by Nnaji’s legal team from the chambers of Wole Olanipekun and Sebastine Hon.
Ngwu emphasised that the central issue before the court remains Nnaji’s request for the release of his academic transcript, adding that claims suggesting the investigative panel had already confirmed certificate forgery were premature and misleading.