Forgery trial: NYSC disowns Ex-Minister Nnaji's discharge certificate, highlights four defects

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned a certificate tied to former Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Geoffrey Nnaji, stating it was not issued by the Corps. Nnaji is currently on trial for six charges, including alleged forgery of an NYSC discharge certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate.

The Assistant Director of the NYSC's Certification Department, Yusuf Abubakar Jumare, testified as the second prosecution witness (PW2) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Jumare revealed that an investigation by his department confirmed the document's forgery. The ICPC is prosecuting Nnaji on charges of certificate forgery and money laundering under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026.

Nnaji, the PDP candidate for Enugu State's forthcoming governorship election, was represented by lawyers Wole Olanikpekun, Ugwu Onoja, Bode Olanikpekun, and George Ibrahim. Assistant Director Jumare explained that the NYSC's investigation was prompted by a request from the ICPC. He identified four key discrepancies that indicated the certificate was not issued by the NYSC.

These included the prefix "A" in the certificate number (introduced in 1990), four-digit call-up number (instead of the five-digit format used in 1985), a 13-month service period (contradicting the standard 12-month service), and a signature by a "National General" (the designation at the time, not "Director" as claimed). Furthermore, the prosecution presented correspondence between the ICPC and NYSC regarding the alleged fake certificate, which was admitted as evidence.

The defense plans to challenge the admissibility of these exhibits in a later stage, noting they were not initially served.