Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, money laundering and obtaining public funds under false pretences as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) formally arraigned him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he forged a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly used during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of unlawfully receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and other emoluments based on the alleged false credentials, in addition to money laundering-related offences.
When the charges were read in court, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, urged the court to grant his client bail, informing the court that the necessary application had already been filed.
Counsel to the ICPC said the prosecution was prepared to commence trial and had three witnesses lined up. However, he did not oppose the bail 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, must have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years, and provide proof of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the last three months.
The judge further directed that the appropriate government authority verify the surety’s employment status and ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1, 2026, after the commission obtained a court-backed bench warrant.
In a statement announcing the arrest, the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, said the former minister was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the commission, several invitations dated May 15, 2026, were sent to Nnaji through his known Abuja and Enugu addresses as well as his email, but he allegedly failed to honour them.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” the ICPC stated.
The commission added that the Federal High Court had, on June 11, 2026, authorised his arrest to facilitate investigations into allegations involving the forgery of academic credentials, particularly a UNN degree certificate and an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening.
The ICPC said the prosecution would pursue the case in accordance with the law as proceedings continue before the court.
