Peter Obi has asked the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and other educational institutions he attended to release his academic records to anyone making a legitimate request under the law, as a legal battle over his educational credentials moves to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development followed separate lawsuits filed by Abayomi Arabambi, a former Labour Party spokesperson, against the West African Examinations Council, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Youth Service Corps.
Arabambi is asking the court to compel the three institutions to release official records relating to certificates and academic documents associated with Obi. He brought the cases under the Freedom of Information Act of 2011.
Obi asks institutions to release his records
Reacting to the court action, Obi said he had no objection to the release of his academic certificates and records.
He asked UNN to make available, within the limits allowed by law, his academic certificates, records and other official documents relating to his admission and studies at the university.
He also said other educational institutions he attended, both in Nigeria and outside the country, could make his records available where legitimate requests were made in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
Obi said he supports transparency and accountability, particularly for people seeking public office.
He also called for the same standard of scrutiny to be applied to every presidential candidate, saying candidates should make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for legitimate public examination.
Three separate court cases
Arabambi filed three separate cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case against WAEC is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026 and was filed on September 1, 2026.
The case against NYSC is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026 and was also filed on September 1.
The case against UNN is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 and was filed on September 9.
The suits were filed through Arabambi’s lawyer, Anderson Asemota.
Arabambi says his cases are not asking the court to decide whether Obi’s certificates are genuine or forged.
Instead, he wants the institutions to release their existing official records so that the status and details of the certificates can be established from the institutions’ own records.
The UNN case
The UNN case centres on Certificate Number D000198, which Arabambi says was issued to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1984.
He first wrote to UNN on July 16, 2026, requesting a Certified True Copy of the certificate.
He also requested the academic and institutional records on which the degree and certificate were based.
According to the court documents, the request was received by the university on August 6.
Arabambi alleged that UNN did not provide the requested documents within the period he says is prescribed by the Freedom of Information Act.
He also alleged that the university did not send him a written notice explaining the legal reason for refusing access to the information.
He subsequently sent a reminder dated August 31. The reminder was reportedly received on September 1, with the delivery record identifying the Vice Chancellor as the recipient.
Arabambi told the court that, by the time he filed the case, he had neither received the requested records nor received what he considered a lawful written refusal.
What Arabambi wants from UNN
Arabambi is seeking 19 separate reliefs from the court.
Among them is an order compelling UNN to determine and respond to his Freedom of Information request in accordance with the law.
He wants the university to provide a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198 if the document exists within its custody or control.
He is also asking for existing official records connected to the degree and certificate.
These include relevant academic records, graduation and degree award records, the certificate register entry, Senate or academic approval records and other existing documents on which the degree or certificate was based.
Arabambi argues that UNN is a public institution covered by the Freedom of Information Act and therefore has a statutory obligation to respond to a valid request.
He says the alleged failure to provide the information or issue a lawful refusal amounts to a refusal or deemed refusal under the Act.
WAEC records
The WAEC case concerns Certificate Number SC042560, which Arabambi says was issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase in June 1978.
He is asking the court to compel WAEC to release a Certified True Copy of the certificate and relevant official records.
Unlike UNN and NYSC, WAEC reportedly responded to Arabambi’s request.
According to the court documents reported by Punch, WAEC rejected the request in a letter dated August 11, 2026, citing Sections 14(1)(a) and 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act.
The court case therefore challenges the refusal and seeks access to the records through a judicial order.
NYSC records
The NYSC case concerns Certificate Number 203495, reportedly issued to Obi, Gregory Peter Onwubuase on May 1, 1986.
Arabambi wants NYSC to provide the official records relating to that certificate, including the document or record on which the certificate was based, if such records remain within NYSC’s custody or control.
He also seeks information concerning how the name Peter Onwubuase appears in the relevant NYSC records.
Arabambi alleges that NYSC, like UNN, failed to provide the information he requested or give him reasons for withholding it.
The name issue
A major point raised in the legal action concerns what Arabambi describes as variations in Obi’s name across documents submitted to electoral and educational authorities.
The lawsuits seek access to the institutions’ original records so that the details and status of the certificates can be established from those records.
However, the cases themselves do not establish that any certificate belonging to Obi is false or forged.
Arabambi has specifically stated that he is seeking access to existing official records rather than asking the court to make a finding that Obi’s certificates are genuine or fraudulent.
Labour Party distances itself from Arabambi
The Labour Party has also moved to distance itself from Arabambi.
The party said he is no longer a member after he was among members suspended by its National Executive Council in March over alleged anti party activities.
The party said the suspension was later ratified at its national convention on April 28 and that the affected individuals therefore ceased to be members.
The Labour Party said any representation by Arabambi as a current party chieftain or representative was unauthorised. It also said its lawyers were reviewing the matter and possible legal steps.
The party’s position does not determine the merits of Arabambi’s court cases.
No court ruling yet
The cases remain at the legal proceedings stage.
The UNN case had not yet been assigned to a judge at the time of the latest reports, and there has been no judicial finding that Obi’s certificates are genuine or forged.
Obi, meanwhile, has publicly welcomed legitimate scrutiny of his educational background and has asked the institutions involved to release his records in accordance with the law.
The dispute therefore currently concerns access to official educational records, the institutions’ responses to Freedom of Information requests and the court’s consideration of Arabambi’s applications. It has not resulted in a court finding against Obi’s academic qualifications.
