Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday, 13 July 2026, arraigned a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on certificate forgery, false information, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering. Nnaji, 63, was docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
The charges stem from allegations that Nnaji forged a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, both allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023. The ICPC further alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received approximately ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances through his Fidelity Bank account under false pretences, which the commission described as proceeds of unlawful acts contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. According to the charge sheet, Nnaji knowingly presented a forged NYSC certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during his appointment documentation, and also submitted a purported UNN degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.
After the charges were read and Nnaji entered his not-guilty plea, his counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a bail application on 9 July 2026. Counsel for the ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with trial and had three witnesses lined up, but did not oppose the bail application. In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum. The court ordered that the surety must be a serving federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with a fixed place of residence in Abuja for at least four years, and must provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the last three months. The judge also directed Nnaji to deposit his official and international passports with the court and barred him from travelling outside the country without the court's permission. The matter was adjourned to 21 September 2026 for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji resigned as minister on 6 October 2025 following the emergence of allegations questioning the authenticity of his academic credentials. At the time of his resignation, he denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as "a sustained campaign of falsehood" and said his decision to step aside was a personal choice, not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process. He was arrested on 30 June 2026 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Enugu, following a Federal High Court order issued on 11 June 2026 after he allegedly failed to honour multiple invitations for questioning. Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in question. Nnaji, who is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has previously described aspects of the case as politically motivated. As the case progresses to trial, the former minister remains on bail, awaiting the next hearing in September.
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