NYSC tells court certificate of former minister Uche Nnaji is fake

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that a discharge certificate presented by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is not authentic.

Testifying as a prosecution witness, NYSC Assistant Director Yusuf Abubakar Jumare stated that an investigation requested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed several discrepancies. The disputed certificate was purportedly issued in 1985, yet it featured a prefix letter “A,” a numbering format the NYSC did not introduce until 1990. Additionally, the certificate contained a four-digit call-up number, whereas 1985 records utilized five digits, and it listed a service period of 13 months instead of the standard 12.

Nnaji, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming Enugu State governorship election, faces six charges including alleged forgery of his NYSC certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka, degree certificate, as well as money laundering. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has adjourned the trial until November 30 for cross-examination.