Two leading advocacy groups, the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) and the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), are urging law enforcement authorities to investigate and prosecute former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji resigned from office earlier this year following a report by PREMIUM TIMES which revealed discrepancies in his academic credentials.
However, the groups say resignation is not enough, calling instead for full legal accountability.
In a statement released Thursday, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, Chairman of CIFCFIN’s Governing Council, warned that the increasing cases of forgery in public office signal a dangerous trend enabled by institutional failure and lack of deterrence.
He urged the federal government to restore integrity in governance by launching a nationwide forensic audit of credentials for civil servants, ministers, and public officials, an initiative CIFCFIN says it is prepared to lead.
“We must choose between impunity and accountability. Prosecuting offenders is the first step. Otherwise, we continue to build on a foundation of deception,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, CASER’s Executive Director, Frank Tietie, said his organisation had submitted a formal petition to the Attorney General of Enugu State, calling on him to prosecute Nnaji under Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers state AGs to initiate criminal proceedings for offences under state law.
Tietie criticised what he described as federal inaction in the case, accusing national agencies of “dragging their feet” for political reasons.
“When federal bodies fail to act, states must step up. This is not political; it’s about restoring the rule of law and ensuring no one is above it,” he said during a press briefing in Abuja.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disclaimed the Bachelor of Science degree claimed by Nnaji. According to UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or graduated from the institution.
In a further blow to the former minister’s credibility, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also stated it could not verify the authenticity of the discharge certificate Nnaji had presented, describing it as “strange” to their records.
As pressure mounts, attention now shifts to both state and federal authorities to determine whether criminal proceedings will follow.
Advocacy groups insist that anything short of prosecution would undermine efforts to uphold integrity in public service.
