Proceedings in the legal action involving Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, popularly known as Nwakaibie, were on Tuesday adjourned by the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to procedural issues relating to service of court processes.
The matter, which is before Hon. Justice H. J. Yilwa, could not proceed after it was discovered that proof of service was not available in the court file for the first and second respondents — the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Counsel to the third to seventh respondents, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, requested additional time to regularise service, while Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, leading the applicant’s legal team alongside Prof. Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, also sought an adjournment to enable the filing of a reply to a counter-affidavit that was only recently served.
The court consequently adjourned the matter to February 26, 2026, to allow all parties to 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 (UNN) and to compel the release of his complete academic documentation. The applicant maintains that the action is aimed at establishing final clarity regarding his academic and graduation status dating back several decades. The case does not involve criminal allegations and does not restrict his political engagements.
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, over alleged unverified and damaging statements. The applicant stated that the issue would be pursued strictly through legal channels.
Chief Nnaji’s recent absence from public engagements has also been attributed to personal circumstances, including the passing of his mother, Mrs. Monica Nnaji. Family sources described the period as one of private mourning and legal focus rather than political withdrawal.
Supporters have been urged to remain calm as the legal process continues while offering prayers and goodwill to the Nnaji family during this period of bereavement.
