By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, obtaining salaries under false pretences and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which accused him of forging a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that the former minister unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments under false pretences, alongside money laundering offences contained in the six-count charge. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail pending trial. Although the prosecution informed the court it was ready to proceed with trial and had three witnesses lined up, it did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji 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, have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years, and provide proof of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the last three months. The court also directed the relevant government authority to verify the surety’s employment status before the bail conditions could be perfected.
In addition, Nnaji was ordered 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.
The arraignment comes weeks after the ICPC confirmed Nnaji’s arrest following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
According to the commission, Nnaji was arrested on July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival in the country, with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The ICPC said it had previously invited the former minister for questioning through letters served at his Abuja and Enugu addresses and via email, but alleged that he failed to honour the invitations, prompting the commission to obtain a court order authorising his arrest.
The commission said its investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji presented forged academic and NYSC credentials during his screening for ministerial appointment in 2023.
The allegations had earlier led to Nnaji’s resignation as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in October 2025 after questions were raised over the authenticity of his educational qualifications.
While announcing his resignation, Nnaji maintained that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and insisted that stepping down from office should not be construed as an admission of guilt. The criminal charges remain allegations, and the case will be determined by the court.
