By Dr. Robert Ngwu
Proceedings in the legal action involving Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, also known as Nwakaibie, were adjourned on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following procedural issues related to service of court processes. The matter, which is before Hon. Justice H. J. Yilwa of the Abuja Judicial Division, could not move forward because proof of service was not available in the court file for the first and second respondents, namely the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission.
Counsel to the third to seventh respondents, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, requested time to regularise service, while Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, leading the applicant’s legal team alongside Prof. Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, had earlier sought an adjournment to enable the filing of a reply to a counter-affidavit that was only recently served. The court subsequently adjourned the case to 26 February 2026 to allow all parties complete service and exchange pending processes ahead of substantive hearing.
The suit was instituted by Chief Nnaji to prevent any alteration of his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and to compel the release of his full academic documentation. According to the applicant, the action is intended to bring final clarity to his academic and graduation status, which dates back several decades. The case does not involve criminal allegations and does not restrain his political activities.
In a related development, a pre-action notice for defamation has been issued against Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya and Prof. Oguejiofor T. Ujam, the immediate past Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN. The notice is linked to statements and publications described as unverified and damaging, with the applicant indicating that the matter will be pursued strictly through legal channels.
Chief Nnaji’s recent withdrawal from public engagements has also been linked to personal circumstances. He stepped aside from ministerial duties to focus on clearing his name through due process and to attend to his ailing mother, Mrs. Monica Nnaji, who passed away recently. Family sources describe the period as one of private mourning and legal concentration rather than political retreat.
Supporters have been urged to remain calm as the legal process unfolds, while offering prayers and goodwill to the Nnaji family during this period of bereavement.
