Hearing in a case filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and others, was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The session, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, could not proceed due to the failure of counsel representing UNN and its officials to file their responses.
Justice Yilwa consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 10 for hearing.
According to the correspondent, Nnaji filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.
He sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, as 1st to 4th respondents, while the Registrar, a former acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate were listed as 5th to 7th respondents.
In an ex-parte motion, Nnaji sought an order prohibiting the university and its officials from tampering with his academic records, as well as a writ of mandamus compelling them to release his academic transcript. He also requested that the Minister of Education and NUC exercise their supervisory powers to ensure compliance.
The judge had, on Sept. 22, granted three of Nnaji’s reliefs but declined to issue any injunction against the respondents before adjourning the matter to Oct. 6.
When the matter was called, Nnaji was represented by Sebastine Hon, SAN, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the 3rd to 7th respondents. No counsel appeared for the Minister of Education or NUC.
Hon informed the court that all parties had been served and alleged that after being served, Prof. Ortuanya wrote to an online newspaper, which subsequently published a damaging report against his client on Oct. 4.
He argued that the publication violated the principle that parties must maintain the status quo once leave is granted by the court.
In response, Asogwa said his clients would be advised to maintain the status quo pending the substantive hearing, noting they were still within time to file their defence.
Justice Yilwa then adjourned the case until Nov. 10 for hearing.
(NAN)