Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer charges of alleged certificate forgery and false declaration brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji arrived at the court ahead of proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery and the submission of false information during his ministerial appointment process.
The ICPC accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged academic credentials and making false declarations in documents submitted to relevant public authorities while seeking nomination and screening for ministerial office in 2023.
The charges followed the conclusion of an investigation launched after a petition questioned the authenticity of the certificates reportedly presented by Nnaji during his nomination and confirmation.
Before filing the charges, the anti-graft agency had obtained a 14-day remand order against the former minister in June, alleging that he repeatedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning despite multiple notices.
Nnaji subsequently challenged the remand order, seeking to have it set aside, but the commission proceeded with criminal prosecution after completing its investigation.
The allegations attracted national attention following an investigative report published in October 2025, which claimed that the former minister forged the academic certificates allegedly used to secure his appointment.
Despite the accusations, Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to enter his plea as the case begins before the Federal High Court.
