The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
Sources close to the former minister say his ambition to occupy the Enugu government house is driven by a desire to gain constitutional immunity. According to one insider, “He feels that his future is uncertain with the certificate forgery scandal hanging over his neck. So he is thinking that if he becomes governor, at least for the first four years, he cannot be prosecuted because of the immunity he will enjoy.”
The source added that securing a second term would extend that protection, potentially shielding him from prosecution for up to eight years, by which time those currently investigating him may have left office.
What Section 308 of the Constitution Provides
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
Sources close to the former minister say his ambition to occupy the Enugu government house is driven by a desire to gain constitutional immunity. According to one insider, “He feels that his future is uncertain with the certificate forgery scandal hanging over his neck. So he is thinking that if he becomes governor, at least for the first four years, he cannot be prosecuted because of the immunity he will enjoy.”
The source added that securing a second term would extend that protection, potentially shielding him from prosecution for up to eight years, by which time those currently investigating him may have left office.
What Section 308 of the Constitution Provides
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has since opened an investigation into the forgery allegations. In February, Premium Times reported that the ICPC had begun probing the matter, and an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, later concluded that Nnaji’s credentials were indeed falsified.
Motive Behind the Governorship Bid
Sources close to the former minister say his ambition to occupy the Enugu government house is driven by a desire to gain constitutional immunity. According to one insider, “He feels that his future is uncertain with the certificate forgery scandal hanging over his neck. So he is thinking that if he becomes governor, at least for the first four years, he cannot be prosecuted because of the immunity he will enjoy.”
The source added that securing a second term would extend that protection, potentially shielding him from prosecution for up to eight years, by which time those currently investigating him may have left office.
What Section 308 of the Constitution Provides
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
Fresh claims have surfaced regarding why former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji is allegedly eager to become governor of Enugu State, despite ongoing accusations of certificate forgery.
Allegations of Forged Credentials
A two‑year investigation published by Premium Times in October 2025 asserted that Nnaji forged his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates, which he submitted during his ministerial confirmation process. He resigned just three days after the report appeared.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has since opened an investigation into the forgery allegations. In February, Premium Times reported that the ICPC had begun probing the matter, and an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, later concluded that Nnaji’s credentials were indeed falsified.
Motive Behind the Governorship Bid
Sources close to the former minister say his ambition to occupy the Enugu government house is driven by a desire to gain constitutional immunity. According to one insider, “He feels that his future is uncertain with the certificate forgery scandal hanging over his neck. So he is thinking that if he becomes governor, at least for the first four years, he cannot be prosecuted because of the immunity he will enjoy.”
The source added that securing a second term would extend that protection, potentially shielding him from prosecution for up to eight years, by which time those currently investigating him may have left office.
What Section 308 of the Constitution Provides
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants sitting presidents, vice‑presidents, governors and deputy governors immunity from civil and criminal proceedings while in office. The provision states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted or continued against such officials during their term, and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned pursuant to any court process.
Precedents of Immunity Use in Nigeria
The report cites past cases where politicians used gubernatorial immunity to halt legal actions. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged financial crimes. However, once he won the 2019 Bauchi governorship election, the EFCC dropped the case in line with the immunity afforded to serving governors.
Ongoing Investigations and Possible Outcomes
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