The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have called on the federal government to thoroughly investigate the certificate forgery allegations against the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
They insisted that his resignation should not mark the end of the matter, stressing that forgery is a criminal offence that cannot be resolved by merely stepping down from office.
NBA: Resignation Doesn’t Erase Criminal Liability
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the allegations as “grave” and urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to commence an immediate investigation.
“If the investigation confirms that he forged certificates to deceive the President or the National Assembly, he must be prosecuted. This matter must not be swept under the carpet,” Osigwe said.
He emphasised that the resignation of a public official accused of forgery does not absolve them of criminal responsibility, adding that the process must be transparent and the findings made public.
Atiku: Tinubu’s Government Promotes Forgery as State Policy
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the incident, accusing the Tinubu administration of institutionalising forgery and deceit in public service.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku argued that Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted, not allowed to resign quietly.
“This episode reflects a pattern—a rot that begins from the top,” he said. “The man who leads this country has himself faced unresolved controversies over his identity and academic records. When deception leads the nation, forgery becomes governance culture.”
Atiku demanded an independent investigation into the credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, starting with President Tinubu himself.
Senior Lawyers: Prosecution Necessary to Restore Integrity
Several SANs, including John Baiyeshea, Moses Ebute, and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, backed the call for a full-scale investigation.
Baiyeshea noted that it is the police’s constitutional duty to investigate and prosecute crimes, while Ebute stressed that resignation alone cannot cleanse the alleged offence.
Adegboruwa warned:
“Resignation should not be a get-out-of-jail-free card. Forgery is a criminal act. Anyone found guilty must face prosecution to deter others.”
However, George Ibrahim (SAN) disagreed, arguing that Nnaji’s resignation was enough, suggesting political undertones behind the allegations since the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) had reportedly cleared him in 2023.
Civil Society Groups Demand Accountability
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and HallowMace Foundation Africa joined the calls for accountability, urging a lifetime ban on Nnaji from holding public office.
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), said Nnaji only resigned due to public pressure, not honour.
“He even went to court to stop the university from releasing his records. Such individuals should never be allowed to hold public office again,” he stated.
HallowMace Foundation also called for public apologies from the DSS and National Assembly, accusing them of failing in their vetting duties.
ADC: Tinubu’s Weak Response Encourages Dishonesty
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the President’s acceptance of Nnaji’s resignation as “weak and disappointing.”
“By letting him go quietly, Tinubu has shown he is unwilling to take a strong stand against corruption. This confirms the APC as a nest of certificate forgers,” said Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary.
The ADC maintained that forgery is a criminal act, not a private offence, and urged law enforcement agencies to launch an independent probe to restore public trust.
Activists Demand Independent Panel
Rivers-based activist Chetam Nwala and other civic voices urged the President to set up an independent investigative panel to examine the forgery claims.
“This saga exposes how compromised Nigeria’s institutions have become. It mirrors the unresolved certificate controversy of President Tinubu himself. We must clean up the system,” Nwala said.