July 13, (THEWILL) — Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged certificate forgery, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering.
Nnaji was docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge accusing him of forging a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the former minister unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salaries, allowances and other emoluments on the strength of the allegedly forged credentials and subsequently engaged in money laundering.
When the charges were read to him, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel informed the court that the commission was ready to open its case and had three witnesses available to testify.
Defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, however, requested time to prepare for trial and drew the court’s attention to a bail application filed on July 9.
Although the prosecution maintained that it was prepared to proceed, it did not oppose the application for bail, leaving the decision to the discretion of the court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik admitted the former minister to bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum. The court held that the surety must be a serving Federal Civil Service officer not below Grade Level 15, resident in Abuja and able to justify his or her financial standing.
Justice Abdulmalik also directed Nnaji to deposit both his official and international passports with the court pending the determination of the case before adjourning proceedings for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment is the latest development in the case that has trailed the former minister since his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet in October 2025 following allegations questioning the authenticity of his academic credentials.
Before leaving office, Nnaji denied the allegations, describing them as “a sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks” intended to damage his reputation. He maintained that his resignation was a voluntary decision taken in the interest of due process and not an admission of wrongdoing.
“My decision to step aside is a personal choice—not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just”, he had said.
THEWILL recalls that Nnaji was arrested on July 1 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja.
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