Activists demand review of ex-minister Uche Nnaji’s tenure

….call for his prosecution

A coalition of civil rights activists under the umbrella of the Concerned Lawyers and Public Interest Analysts has called on the Federal Government to review all official actions and decisions taken by the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Uche Nnaji, during his tenure, arguing that a public official accused of making false claims about his academic certificates may have taken decisions that undermined the public interest or advanced personal gains.

The activists also urged President Bola Tinubu and his administration to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated and not swept under the carpet by influential individuals within or outside government.

The coalition comprises Prof. Anthony Kila, Director of the Common Wealth Institute; Fred Nzeako, Secretary-General of the Movement for Nigeria Restructuring (MNR); Liborous Oshoma, lawyer and public interest advocate; Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL); Barr. Jiti Ogunye, lawyer and public interest advocate; and Jimmy Abia, lawyer and public interest advocate.

The demands were presented on Sunday at a press conference in Lagos, where Barr. Liborous Oshoma, speaking on behalf of the group, called for a comprehensive review of Nnaji’s actions while in office. The activists also demanded that the former minister refund all salaries and allowances he received from the Federal Government between 2023 and October 2025, arguing that such restitution would serve both justice and as a deterrent to others.

Speaking at the briefing, CACOL Chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, lamented what he described as a culture of impunity in the country, saying the system had become too accommodating of alleged illegalities because many people who should speak out often remain silent.

Adeniran further maintained that it is never too late to prosecute anyone accused of wrongdoing, questioning how the former minister was able to oversee the highly specialised Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation amid the allegations surrounding his academic credentials.

Also speaking, Barr. Jiti Ogunye commended the media for exposing the alleged certificate forgery and stressed the need for the authorities to ensure that justice is served, saying the allegations should be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed that Uche Nnaji was arrested after allegedly failing to honour several invitations over an investigation into claims of certificate forgery. 

In a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the ICPC said Nnaji was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with the assistance of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.