Ex-minister Uche Nnaji arraigned over ‘certificate forgery’, gets ₦20m bail

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of certificate forgery and related offences.

Nnaji was docked on Monday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering.

The charges include claims that the former minister forged a university degree purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which he allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.

He is also accused of unlawfully receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments under false pretences.

When the charges were read to him, Nnaji pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, the prosecution indicated readiness to commence trial and stated that three witnesses were present in court. However, defence counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, requested additional time to prepare and drew attention to a bail application filed on July 9, 2026. The prosecution did not oppose the application.

In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court ruled that the surety must be a Federal Civil Service officer not below Grade Level 15 and resident in Abuja. Nnaji was also ordered to deposit both his official and international passports with the court.

The case follows months of investigation into the authenticity of his academic and NYSC credentials. The ICPC alleges that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC disowned the certificates presented by the defendant.

Nnaji was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from Enugu.

His arrest came after a Federal High Court order issued on June 11, 2026, following his alleged failure to honour multiple invitations for questioning.

The former minister had resigned from office on October 7, 2025, stating that his decision was to protect the integrity of public office and allow due process. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and described elements of the case as politically motivated.

Nnaji is also the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.