Recent publications by certain media organisations have once again generated widespread public commentary regarding legal proceedings involving Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu State.
Unfortunately, much of the public discourse has been driven by incomplete reporting, the conflation of distinct legal proceedings, and misconceptions about the true status of the matters before the courts. As a result, many Nigerians have been left with an inaccurate understanding of the facts.
This statement is issued in the interest of accuracy, fairness, and respect for the judicial process. Its purpose is not to litigate these matters in the media, but to place the relevant facts in their proper legal context, distinguish allegations from established facts, and reaffirm Chief Nnaji’s unwavering commitment to due process and the rule of law.
Chief Nnaji remains confident that every issue raised against him will ultimately be resolved by the courts on the basis of evidence and applicable law—not by speculation, sensational headlines, or public commentary.
THE CIVIL SUIT CONCERNING CHIEF NNAJI’S ACADEMIC RECORDS
The principal court proceedings relating to Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji’s academic records remain Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
It is important to state unequivocally that this is a civil suit commenced by Chief Nnaji himself. He voluntarily approached the Court as the Applicant to seek judicial determination of issues concerning his academic records and to secure the release of his official university transcript, which will corroborate his graduation status. He was not charged with any offence, arraigned before the Court, or brought before it as an accused person.
When the matter came up before Hon. Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa on 20 April 2026, counsel for the Applicant informed the Court that discussions were underway with a view to resolving the dispute amicably. There was no opposition from any of the parties to the request for an adjournment, and the Court accordingly adjourned the matter to 8 July 2026 for a report of settlement or, failing settlement, continuation of proceedings.
When the matter resumed on 8 July 2026, the parties informed the Court that efforts to achieve an out-of-court settlement had not been successful. The Court therefore adjourned the case to 20 October 2026 for definite hearing.
The significance of these proceedings cannot be overstated. They remain civil proceedings initiated by Chief Nnaji in pursuit of judicial clarification and the protection of what he maintains are his legal rights. They are not criminal proceedings, and they do not constitute a criminal trial against him.
REPORTS OF CRIMINAL CHARGES
Our attention has also been drawn to media reports alleging that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.
As of the time of issuing this statement, neither Chief Nnaji nor his legal team has been formally served with any charge, hearing notice, or notice of arraignment by the Court or the Commission. Accordingly, they are not in a position to comment on the specific contents of any purported charge beyond what has appeared in the media.
Once due service is effected in accordance with the law, Chief Nnaji will fully exercise his constitutional right to defend any charges against him.
It is, however, important to remind the public of a fundamental principle of criminal justice: the filing of a criminal charge does not amount to a finding of guilt, and an arraignment is not a conviction.
An arraignment is merely the formal commencement of criminal proceedings. It is the stage at which an accused person is informed of the allegations against him and afforded the opportunity to enter a plea. It is only after a full trial—during which both the prosecution and the defence are heard—that a court may determine whether the allegations have been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji unequivocally maintains his innocence and rejects any allegation of criminal wrongdoing. He will appear before the Court whenever lawfully required, will defend every allegation through the judicial process, and will vigorously defend his name in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Having voluntarily initiated judicial proceedings concerning his academic records and consistently submitted himself to the authority of the courts, Chief Nnaji remains fully confident that the truth will emerge through due process and that every issue will ultimately be determined on the basis of credible evidence and the rule of law—not speculation, conjecture, or media narratives.
THE EARLIER EX PARTE ORDER
The public will recall that the recent controversy originated from an ex parte application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the Commission’s application before the Federal High Court, the orders it sought were not predicated on any judicial finding that Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji had committed the offence of forgery or any other criminal offence. Rather, the Commission alleged that he had failed to honour its invitations, could not be located, and was likely to abscond from Nigeria. It was on the basis of those allegations that the Commission sought and obtained an arrest warrant to compel his appearance. Chief Nnaji firmly disputes those allegations, maintaining that they are wholly inaccurate and unsupported by the facts.
It is important that the public understands this distinction.
The arrest warrant reported in the media was not a conviction, nor was it a judicial declaration that Chief Nnaji was guilty of certificate forgery or any other offence. It was a procedural order sought by the Commission to secure his attendance based on a false allegation that he had not honoured its invitation.
Chief Nnaji has consistently disputed those allegations. He maintains that no invitation was ever personally served on him through his long-established residential addresses in Abuja and Enugu or through his known email address, as has been alleged. He further states that he never evaded the Commission, has never gone into hiding, and has remained openly accessible throughout the period in question.
Indeed, it defies logic to suggest that the governorship candidate of one of Nigeria’s major political parties—widely recognised as the leading opposition figure, with massive followership, in the forthcoming Enugu State governorship election—could have been “in hiding” while openly attending political meetings, consulting with stakeholders, receiving visitors, participating in public engagements, and granting media interviews.
His movements, activities, and public appearances throughout the period in question were neither concealed nor secret. They were conducted openly and were well known to supporters, political associates, members of the public, and the media. The suggestion that he was deliberately evading any law enforcement agency is therefore fundamentally inconsistent with the objective facts.
His legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, promptly challenged the ex parte order before the Court of Appeal by filing an appeal together with an application for stay of execution. Those proceedings remain pending, and the legality of the ex parte order will be determined through the judicial process.
For the avoidance of doubt, an arrest warrant obtained to compel attendance is entirely different from a finding of guilt after a criminal trial. Under Nigerian law, criminal responsibility can only be determined after a full hearing before a court of competent jurisdiction in which the accused has had the opportunity to present his defence.
Unfortunately, some media reports failed to draw this critical legal distinction, thereby creating the false public impression that the issuance of an arrest warrant amounted to proof that Chief Nnaji had committed forgery. That impression is legally unsustainable. It undermines the constitutional presumption of innocence and offends the fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed under the Constitution. In a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, no person is adjudged guilty by media headlines or interim procedural orders, but only after a fair trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.
RESPECT FOR DUE PROCESS
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has consistently demonstrated respect for the rule of law.
He has never avoided or absconded from any lawful judicial process.
His residential addresses in Abuja and Enugu have remained publicly known for many years, and since leaving office he has continued to participate openly in public life.
He voluntarily resigned from ministerial office to devote his full attention to clearing his name through lawful judicial processes. He did so because he believes that a person’s name is a sacred inheritance—one that belongs not only to the individual, but also to his family, his children, and generations yet unborn. He is determined that his legacy be defined by truth, integrity, and the judgment of the courts, not by allegations or media speculation.
He remains confident in the independence of the Nigerian judiciary and believes that every issue raised against him will ultimately be determined by evidence presented before the courts—not by speculation, assumptions or media headlines.
We therefore respectfully urge members of the public and the media to distinguish between:
• Civil proceedings and criminal proceedings;
• Allegations and proven facts;
• Arraingnment and conviction; and
• Media reports and judicial findings.
Every Nigerian is constitutionally entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction after a fair hearing.
Chief Nnaji remains steadfast in his belief that justice is best served through due process, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.
As the Igbos wisely say:
“Eziokwu ga-apụta ìhè.”
The truth will prevail.
Signed
Dr. Robert Ngwu
Spokesperson to Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji
