The Joint Civil Society Front, Enugu State, has told the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, to step aside to allow free investigation into the alleged certificate forgery scandal involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.
At a press briefing in Enugu on Monday, JCSF said the Vice Chancellor’s continued presence in office “poses a direct threat to the integrity of the investigation” being conducted by an Education Ministry panel inaugurated on November 24, 2025
Reading the group’s position, JCSF Coordinator, Ani Vincent, insisted that the principle of impartiality demands that the VC step aside.
“A person whose actions are themselves subject to investigation cannot remain in office while the inquiry is ongoing. Prof. Ortuanya must step aside to prevent influence-peddling, political tampering, or obstruction—whether intentional or otherwise,” Vincent said.
He added that the controversy began after the Vice Chancellor personally responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from Premium Times, releasing documents allegedly showing that Chief Nnaji did not graduate from UNN.
“The VC’s decision to release academic records directly, without the Registrar—the lawful custodian of such documents—was an ominous signal. It suggested the matter was no longer purely academic but dangerously political,” Vincent said.
JCSF expressed alarm over what it called “dramatic inconsistencies” in UNN’s official positions on Nnaji’s academic history.
The group noted that a letter signed by UNN Registrar, Mrs. Ngozi Nnebedum, and dated December 21, 2023, confirmed that Nnaji “was admitted in 1981, graduated in July 1985, and appeared in the 1985 convocation brochure and photo album.”
However, a contradictory letter dated October 2, 2025, signed by Prof. Ortuanya, few days after he was appointed Vice Chancellor, stated that Nnaji never graduated.
“How did a university go from confirming a graduation with supporting evidence to outright denial within two years? What happened to the academic records used by the Registrar in 2023? How did they suddenly disappear without any incident—no fire, no theft, no reported system crash? Something is fundamentally wrong,” JCSF said.
JCSF said it will not hesitate to mobilise large-scale demonstrations at both the Nsukka and Enugu campuses if the VC refuses to comply.
“We hereby issue a one-week ultimatum. If Prof. Ortuanya remains in office after this period, we will mobilise our members and affiliate organisations for peaceful protests across UNN campuses,” Vincent declared.
He stressed that the demand is not punitive but a necessary measure for transparency.
“When Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji voluntarily resigned his ministerial position, it was not an admission of guilt. It was a vote in favour of an unfettered investigation. We expect the same leadership maturity from Prof. Ortuanya,” he said.
JCSF also reminded UNN authorities that Supreme Court rulings affirm that government panels can carry out statutory duties even when related matters are before a court.
“UNN must not hide behind litigation. The Education Minister’s investigative panel is well within its constitutional mandate, and the university must cooperate fully,” The group said.
