Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments, in addition to money laundering-related offences.
After taking his plea, Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for his client’s bail. The prosecution did not oppose the application, leaving the decision to the discretion of the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the former minister to bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with a verifiable residence of at least four years.
The surety is also required to provide evidence of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips covering the last three months, while the relevant authority will verify the information submitted.
The judge further directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents to the court pending the determination of the case.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s prosecution follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
The commission had alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations issued during its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.
The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 after the allegations became public but has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a decision taken to allow due process to take its course.
