A witness of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Monday, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of 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 Uche Nnaji.
The witness, SP Yakubu Ibrahim, a police officer with ICPC, informed the court docket throughout his evidence-in-Chief earlier than the court docket complete responding to questions from Mr J.A Mumini , SAN, in his certificates forgery case.
The witness stated his crew was assigned to analyze the matter after the fee acquired two separate petitions alleging certificates forgery towards Nnaji.
He stated 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 Nnaji’s NYSC certificates and BSc certificates in Microbiology and Biochemistry to the fee.
He stated NYSC responded that the certificates purportedly issued by the corps was not issued by it.
The witness additional informed the court docket that UNN additionally responded that Nnaji did not receive the required grades for the award of his certificates.
He stated the college defined in its letter the coverage governing the grades required for the award of a certificates saying if one failed 4 instances, the individual was not certified.
Ibrahim stated 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.”
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 stated the fee additionally obtained paperwork from the SGF’s workplace, together with a payslip, which prompted it to request Nnaji’s financial institution assertion.
According to him, the financial institution assertion confirmed that Nnaji acquired 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 Nnaji, which had been tendered in proof.
He additionally informed the court docket that Nnaji did not honour the fee’s invitation to reply questions on the petitions, prompting the ICPC to contact the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ibrahim stated the DSS subsequently arrested Nnaji on July 1.
Counsel to Nnaji, Mr Wole Olanipekun, stated he would reserve his objection to the admissibility of the paperwork till the suitable stage of the proceedings, if vital.
In a brief ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the paperwork in proof however held that objections to their admissibility could be reserved till the ultimate tackle.
During cross-examination by Nnaji’s counsel, Mr Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Ibrahim informed the court docket that he didn’t go to UNN throughout his investigation.
He additionally stated he didn’t know what number of campuses the college had or the school from which Nnaji graduated.
Asked whether or not he interviewed any previous or current college employees, the witness stated he interviewed a registrar named Ngozi however couldn’t recall her surname.
Ibrahim additionally informed the court docket that he noticed a letter from UNN directing the withdrawal of Nnaji’s admission.
Olanipekun, nevertheless, drew his consideration to a different letter exhibiting that the withdrawal letter dated Nov. 7, 1984, was rescinded by a subsequent letter dated March 18, 1985.
With no additional questions from the defence for the witness, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow it name one other witness.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till Nov. 5 for continuation of trial.
Nnaji was arraigned earlier than the Federal High Court on a six-count cost bordering on alleged certificates forgery, cash laundering and abuse of workplace.
He pleaded not responsible to all the fees.
The ICPC, which filed the fees, alleged that Nnaji introduced solid 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.
He was admitted to bail within the sum of N20 million with one surety and he was ordered to deposit his worldwide passport with the court docket.
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