A witness of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Monday, advised 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, advised the court docket throughout his evidence-in-Chief earlier than the court docket entire responding to questions from Mr J.A Mumini , SAN, in his certificates forgery case.
The witness mentioned his workforce was assigned to analyze the matter after the fee obtained two separate petitions alleging certificates forgery towards 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 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 advised the court docket that UNN additionally responded that Nnaji didn’t acquire 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 individual was not certified.
Ibrahim mentioned Nnaji failed at two phases 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 mentioned 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 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 Nnaji, which had been tendered in proof.
He additionally advised the court docket that Nnaji didn’t honour the fee’s invitation to reply questions on the petitions, prompting the ICPC to contact the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ibrahim mentioned the DSS subsequently arrested Nnaji on July 1.
Counsel to Nnaji, Mr Wole Olanipekun, mentioned he would reserve his objection to the admissibility of the paperwork till the suitable stage of the proceedings, if crucial.
In a brief ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the paperwork in proof however held that objections to their admissibility can be reserved till the ultimate handle.
During cross-examination by Nnaji’s counsel, Mr Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Ibrahim advised the court docket 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 college from which Nnaji graduated.
Asked whether or not he interviewed any previous or current college employees, the witness mentioned he interviewed a registrar named Ngozi however couldn’t recall her surname.
Ibrahim additionally advised 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 offered 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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