(DDM) – A fresh certificate forgery controversy has emerged within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), implicating a senior official, Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Chijioke, the Director of Lands in the Mass Housing Department (MHD) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), is accused of falsifying his academic credentials to advance his civil service career.
Reports indicate that Chijioke allegedly submitted a forged Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, which enabled him to gain admission into the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
He later obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Architectural Technology at Oko Polytechnic, which subsequently paved the way for a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), and a master’s degree in an undisclosed field.
The credentials reportedly facilitated his rapid rise to a sensitive position within the FCDA, raising questions about the integrity of his appointments.
Documents obtained by investigators show that Kwara State Polytechnic officially disowned the OND certificate in a letter dated March 12, 2025, signed by Deputy Registrar (Examinations and Records) Ibrahim Eletu Saka.
The institution confirmed that the statement of result presented by Chijioke “did not emanate from the school” and is therefore counterfeit.
Following this revelation, a civic accountability group, the Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative (DPNBTI), petitioned multiple government bodies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the Presidency.
The petition accused Chijioke of forgery, perjury, and conspiracy, urging authorities to prosecute him and recover any benefits gained through the falsified records.
“Our investigation revealed that Nwankwoeze Chijioke used a forged statement of result dated January 16, 1997, to secure admission into Oko Polytechnic and subsequently employment in the civil service,” the group stated.
Despite these petitions, sources say authorities have yet to take tangible action months after the complaint, prompting DPNBTI to approach the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, the case seeks an Order of Mandamus directing the IGP and Nigeria Police Force to investigate and prosecute the director.
The court has also been asked to allow substituted service due to difficulties in contacting the defendant.
“This is a test of institutional accountability,” said the group’s lawyer. “Ignoring clear evidence of forgery undermines public confidence in governance.”
The case, filed on September 23, 2025, has been assigned to a trial judge for hearing.
Observers note that this scandal follows the resignation of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over questions about his academic credentials, highlighting ongoing concerns about certificate verification in Nigeria’s public sector.
Civil society groups are now calling for stricter scrutiny of academic records to prevent further erosion of trust in public institutions.
