The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and several senior lawyers have called on the federal government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery, insisting that his resignation should not end the matter.
They warned that treating the case lightly could undermine public trust, embolden others to commit similar offences, and tarnish Nigeria’s global image.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the allegations as “grave” and urged law enforcement agencies to act immediately. “If investigations confirm that he forged certificates presented to the President and the National Assembly, then he should be prosecuted. This matter must not be swept under the carpet,” he said.
Osigwe emphasized that resignation does not absolve anyone of criminal responsibility, adding that transparent investigation and public disclosure of findings were vital to uphold integrity in governance.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized the Tinubu administration, alleging that corruption and forgery have become state policy. He said the resignation of the minister was a weak response to a serious crime. “Uche Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted, not allowed to resign quietly,” Atiku stated.
He questioned how Nnaji could have passed security clearance by the Department of State Services (DSS), which previously disqualified former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for “security reasons.”
Atiku also urged an independent probe into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, starting with President Tinubu. “Forgery and deceit have become the hallmark of this administration,” he said.
Supporting the NBA’s position, senior lawyers including John Baiyeshea (SAN), Moses Ebute (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), and Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) agreed that resignation is not an escape from justice. They maintained that the police should investigate and, if a prima facie case is established, prosecute the ex-minister to serve as a deterrent.
Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, warned against allowing public officials to “resign and run away with the crime committed,” while Baiyeshea lamented that treating such cases lightly perpetuates corruption.
However, another senior lawyer, George Ibrahim (SAN), said Nnaji’s resignation should end the matter, alleging political undertones since the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had previously cleared him.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the situation as evidence of deep-rooted dishonesty within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said President Tinubu’s acceptance of Nnaji’s resignation was “weak and disappointing,” arguing that a credible leader would have ordered prosecution.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) also demanded a lifetime ban on Nnaji from holding public office. Its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said Nnaji only resigned under public pressure, not out of integrity.
Similarly, the HallowMace Foundation Africa called on the DSS and National Assembly to apologise to Nigerians for their failure to detect the alleged forgery during the screening process, describing it as a “national embarrassment.”
Activist Chetam Nwala urged President Tinubu to set up an independent panel to investigate the matter, saying the scandal highlights Nigeria’s institutional weaknesses.
“The resignation of Hon. Nnaji exposes the decay in our oversight systems and the failure of agencies to uphold accountability,” he said.
Despite Nnaji’s resignation, public outrage continues to mount, with widespread calls for a transparent investigation and prosecution to restore credibility in governance.
