Former minister of innovation, science and technology Uche Nnaji and the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Monday opted to settle a suit linked to allegations of certificate forgery out of court.
The case is before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mr Nnaji had filed the suit to stop the university from releasing or interfering with his academic records following reports that he forged his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
At the resumed hearing, his counsel Ope Muritala told the court that the matter was fixed for the hearing of pending applications, but there was a new development.
He said parties were exploring a settlement and asked for an adjournment to allow talks.
Lawyers to the minister of education and the National Universities Commission said they were not aware of the plan but did not oppose the request.
Counsel to UNN and its officials Chidubem Ugwueze said the defence had been informed of the talks. He said the defendants were not opposed but asked the court to hear their motion in case the talks fail.
The judge declined to take the application and said it would be considered if the settlement fails. She adjourned the matter until July 8 for a report.
Nnaji filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025 against the minister of education, the NUC, UNN and its officials, including the vice-chancellor, registrar and the senate of the university.
He sought an order to stop the university from interfering with his academic records and asked the court to compel the release of his transcript.
He also asked the minister of education and the NUC to use their powers to direct the university to release the records.
In their preliminary objection, UNN and its officials asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
They argued that the case was filed outside the time allowed by law and did not follow the required procedure. They also said there was no evidence that the university had refused to release records or interfered with them.
The defendants also argued that matters relating to academic records and results do not fall within the court’s jurisdiction and that internal remedies had not been exhausted.
The case followed reports that Uche Nnaji forged his certificates, which led to his resignation in 2025.
