The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned a discharge certificate linked to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, telling a Federal High Court in Abuja that it did not issue the document. The NYSC disowns Geoffrey Nnaji’s certificate as the former minister faces six charges, including alleged forgery and money laundering.
The NYSC Assistant Director in the Department of Certification, Yusuf Abubakar Jumare, testified on Tuesday as the second prosecution witness in the case.
He told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that an investigation by his department found that the certificate was not genuine.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Nnaji in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026.
The charges include alleged forgery of an NYSC discharge certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka, degree certificate.
Led in evidence by ICPC lawyer Jimoh Abdulmumuni, SAN, Jumare said his department began investigating the certificate after receiving a request from the commission.
He identified four discrepancies that informed the department’s conclusion. Led in evidence by ICPC lawyer Jimoh Abdulmumuni, SAN, Jumare said his department began investigating the certificate after receiving a request from the commission.
He identified four discrepancies that informed the department’s conclusion.
First, the certificate number carries the prefix “A”, which the NYSC introduced in 1990, although the document reportedly dates back to 1985.
Second, the call-up number contains four digits, 0137. However, Jumare said NYSC call-up numbers in 1985 had five digits.
Third, the certificate records 13 months of national service instead of the required 12 calendar months.
Finally, the document bears the signature of a “National General”. Jumare said the NYSC chief executive was known as a Director during the period in question.
Nnaji appeared in court with a legal team led by Chief Wole Olanikpekun, SAN. Other members included Chief Ugwu Onoja, Bode Olanikpekun and George Ibrahim, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The former minister is also the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the forthcoming Enugu State governorship election.
The case centres on allegations that Nnaji presented forged academic and NYSC documents. The allegations remain before the court.
