The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally arraigned Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Standing before the court, the former cabinet official entered a plea of not guilty to a six-count criminal charge.
The indictment brought against him focuses primarily on allegations of certificate forgery, money laundering, and the unlawful acquisition of financial benefits through fraudulent misrepresentation.
According to the specific details presented by the anti-graft agency, Nnaji allegedly presented a forged bachelor’s degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as a falsified National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
These academic and national service credentials were submitted to authorities during his ministerial screening process in 2023. Additionally, the prosecution asserts that the former minister illegally accumulated roughly ₦29.5 million in public funds through salaries and official emoluments distributed to him based on these contested credentials.
Following the reading of the charges and the subsequent not-guilty plea, the prosecution legal team stated that it was fully prepared to begin proceedings and had multiple witnesses available to testify.
However, the defense counsel requested an adjournment to adequately prepare their case, while simultaneously bringing forward an application for bail. The prosecution did not raise any objections to this request.
In her subsequent ruling, Justice Abdulmalik admitted Nnaji to bail set at ₦20 million, requiring one surety of an equal amount. The court mandated that the designated surety must be an active Federal Civil Service officer holding a rank of Grade Level 15 or higher, with a verified residency in Abuja.
As part of the stringent bail terms, Nnaji was ordered to hand over both his official and international passports to the custody of the court, and the legal matter has been formally adjourned until September 21 for the commencement of the trial.