ABUJA — Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged certificate forgery and fraud, pleading not guilty to all charges.
Nnaji was docked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on forgery, false information, abuse of office and money laundering.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former minister forged a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which he presented during his 2023 ministerial screening.
According to the charge sheet, Nnaji allegedly received about N29.5 million as salary and allowances while serving as minister, “when you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud.”
The ICPC further accused him of using his office to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself, contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In another count, the commission alleged that Nnaji “knowingly gave false information” to the Federal Government by presenting a “false Certificate of National Service” to facilitate his appointment, an offence punishable under the same Act.
The prosecution also claimed that he submitted a purported Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate, which he allegedly knew to be false, with intent to mislead the government.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel told the court he was ready to proceed to trial, adding that three witnesses were already in court.
However, defence counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, sought time to prepare and drew the court’s attention to a pending bail application filed on July 9, 2026. The prosecution did not oppose the request.
In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety not below Grade Level 15 in the Federal Civil Service and resident in Abuja. The court also ordered the defendant to deposit both his official and international passports.
The arraignment followed months of investigation into the authenticity of his academic and service records, with both UNN and NYSC reportedly disowning the certificates in question.
Nnaji was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Enugu, after allegedly failing to honour several invitations.
He had earlier resigned his ministerial position on October 7, 2025, describing the move as a “principled decision to respect due process,” while maintaining his innocence and alleging political motives behind the case.
Nnaji, 63, is also the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the forthcoming election.
