Robert Ngwu, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uchenna Nnaji, has accused the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), of tampering with and manipulating the minister’s academic records.
The allegation comes amid ongoing controversy over Nnaji’s alleged certificate forgery, which has led to a pending court case. Appearing before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court on Monday, the minister claimed that UNN was withholding his academic transcript despite his graduation in 1985 with a BSc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry (Second Class Lower Division).
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ngwu alleged that the university’s actions were politically motivated and that sensitive student records were being leaked online.
“He didn’t ask the institution not to touch his academic records. He said they should not tamper or manipulate because there was information online showing items from a personal student’s file being released,” Ngwu stated. “We gathered from good authority that some manipulations were going on. The minister sought the protection of the court so they should release his transcript.”
Ngwu further accused the acting vice-chancellor of being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting that the university’s handling of the matter was influenced by politics.
“In Enugu, PDP has found a way to remain in power for the last 26 years,” Ngwu alleged. “They go after whoever will challenge them, discredit them, and make sure such persons have no platform to compete under.”
What you should know
Minister Uchenna Nnaji’s ongoing legal battle over alleged certificate forgery has taken a political dimension following claims that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is deliberately withholding his academic transcript.
His camp maintains that the issue is politically driven, while the court continues to deliberate on the authenticity of his academic records.
