Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the defendants, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on Monday opted for an out-of-court settlement of their dispute.
Nnaji had filed a suit before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, praying the court to stop the university from releasing his academic records following allegations of certificate forgery.
The former minister was alleged to have forged his degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates. The allegations, through a media report, led to his resignation as Nigeria’s minister in 2025.
At the resumed hearing, Nnaji’s lawyer, Ope Muritala, told the court that parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement and applied for an adjournment to allow for peaceful resolution.
Lawyers to the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission told the court they were unaware of the development but did not oppose the application.
Chidubem Ugwueze, who represented UNN and its officials, said the lead counsel had informed him of the settlement plan and that the defendants were not opposed to the reconciliatory move.
Justice Yilwa declined to hear the defendants’ motion for regularisation, stating that it would be considered if settlement efforts failed. She adjourned the matter until July 8 for a report of settlement.
Nnaji, in the suit, sought an order prohibiting the university from tampering with his academic records and compelling the release of his academic transcript. He also asked the Minister of Education and NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to compel UNN to do so.
In their preliminary objection, UNN and its officials argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, stating that the application was filed outside the required time frame and that no prior request for the release of academic records had been made before the suit was filed. They also argued that matters concerning student academic records are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the court.
