Nigeria: ex-minister facing certificate forgery charges cleared for Enugu governorship race
Nigeria's electoral commission has listed former science minister Geoffrey Nnaji as a governorship candidate on the strength of his school-leaving results, while he stands trial on charges linked to an allegedly forged university degree.
Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has named former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Enugu State governorship election, despite pending charges against him over an allegedly forged degree certificate, The ICIR and Daily Trust reported on 11 October 2026.
According to The ICIR, the final list is for the governorship election scheduled for 6 February 2027. Both outlets report that Nnaji's nomination relies on his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results rather than the disputed university degree.
The certificate case
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 after a Premium Times investigation questioned the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates he presented at his 2023 ministerial screening. He said at the time that resigning was not an admission of guilt.
Daily Trust reports that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said he was admitted in 1981 but was never awarded a degree, and that in a court affidavit Nnaji reportedly acknowledged the university never issued him one. The ICIR, citing Premium Times, reports that a federal investigative panel found in March 2026 that the degree certificate was forged.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested him on 1 July 2026. Daily Trust reports that he was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges including certificate forgery, abuse of office and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of N20 million.
Why it matters
The case shows how candidacy rules that require only a minimum qualification can let a contested higher credential drop out of view during an election, even while a criminal case over it continues. Nnaji has not been convicted, and the charges remain to be proved in court.
Verifying credentials of public officials
Screening bodies can reduce such disputes by confirming degrees directly with the awarding university and the national youth service scheme before confirming appointments, instead of relying on certificates presented by the nominee.
This News Desk report summarises information published by the sources above, written in our own words. Persons named in criminal matters are accused, not convicted, unless a court has ruled otherwise. To report an error, use our contact page.
More from the News Desk
- Indore orders FIRs against about 50 government teachers over alleged fake D.Ed and B.Ed degrees
- Chhattisgarh High Court rejects railway loco pilot's plea in fake ITI mark sheet case
- Pune university warns students against admission to Synergy School of Commerce
- Sri Lanka's CERT warns of fake foreign university admission and visa offers on social media