A prosecution witness, on Monday, instructed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) disowned certificates linked to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji.
The witness, who recognized himself as Yakubu Ibrahim, a superintendent of police officer with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), made the revelation. He was led in proof by prosecution lawyer J.A Mumini, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
ICPC is prosecuting Mr Nnaji on certificates forgery and cash laundering expenses. An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES uncovered the certificates forgery scandal resulting in Mr Nnaji’s ouster from workplace final yr.
The former minister is the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming 2027 governorship candidate in Enugu State.
Mr Ibrahim mentioned his workforce was assigned to research the matter after the fee obtained two separate petitions alleging certificate forgery against Mr Nnaji.
He mentioned the Chairman of the Special Task Force directed an investigation, prompting the fee to request related paperwork from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to him, the Clerk of the Senate, National Assembly, forwarded Mr Nnaji’s NYSC certificates and BSc certificates in Microbiology and Biochemistry to the fee.
He mentioned NYSC responded that the certificates purportedly issued by the corps was not issued by it.
The witness additional instructed the court that UNN additionally responded that Nnaji didn’t receive the required grades for the award of his certificates.
He mentioned the college defined in its letter the coverage governing the grades required for the award of a certificates saying if one failed 4 occasions, the particular person was not certified.
Mr Ibrahim mentioned Mr Nnaji failed at two levels and didn’t write the examination on the third stage for medical causes.
“The witness said that, according to the letter, the defendant went ahead to write the supplementary examination for which he did not register,” he mentioned.
Mr Ibrahim additional testified that UNN confirmed that the BSc certificates in Microbiology and Biochemistry attributed to the defendant was not issued by the college.
He mentioned the fee additionally obtained paperwork from the SGF’s workplace, together with a payslip, which prompted it to request Mr Nnaji’s financial institution assertion.
According to him, the financial institution assertion confirmed that Mr Nnaji obtained N29.5 million in wage as minister earlier than he resigned.
The witness recognized letters despatched to the Clerk of the Senate, the SGF, UNN, NYSC, the financial institution and Mr Nnaji, which have been tendered in proof.
He additionally instructed the court that Mr Nnaji didn’t honour the fee’s invitation to reply questions on the petitions, prompting the ICPC to contact the State Security Service (SSS).
Ibrahim mentioned the DSS subsequently arrested Nnaji on 1 July.
Mr Nnaji’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, a SAN, mentioned he would reserve his objection to the admissibility of the paperwork till the suitable stage of the proceedings, if mandatory.
In a ruling, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the paperwork in proof however held that objections to their admissibility can be reserved till the ultimate deal with.
During cross-examination by Mr Olanipekun, Mr Ibrahim instructed the court that he didn’t go to UNN throughout his investigation.
He additionally mentioned he didn’t know what number of campuses the college had or the school from which Mr Nnaji graduated.
Asked whether or not he interviewed any previous or current college workers member, the witness mentioned he interviewed a registrar named Ngozi however couldn’t recall her surname.
Mr Ibrahim additionally instructed the court that he noticed a letter from UNN directing the withdrawal of Mr Nnaji’s admission.
Mr Olanipekun, nevertheless, drew his consideration to a different letter exhibiting that the withdrawal letter dated 7 November 1984, was rescinded by a subsequent letter dated 18 March 1985.
With no additional questions from the defence for the witness, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow it name one other witness.
Ms Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till 5 November for continuation of trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stories that Nnaji was arraigned earlier than the Federal High Court on six counts of certificates forgery, cash laundering and abuse of workplace.
He pleaded not responsible to all the fees.
The ICPC, which filed the fees, alleged that Mr Nnaji offered cast UNN diploma and NYSC certificates to assist his ministerial appointment in 2023.
The fee additionally accused him of receiving about N29.58 million in salaries and allowances as minister, allegedly linked to proceeds of illegal acts.
The court granted him bail in yhe sum of N20 million with one surety and he was ordered to deposit his passport with the court. He is to not journey exterior the nation with out permission from the court all through the interval of his trial.
(NAN)
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your e-mail.
