Former Minister Nnaji Granted ₦20m Bail Over Certificate Case

(Uche Nnaji. Photo Credit: Leadership News)

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of certificate forgery and granted bail in the sum of ₦20 million.

Nnaji pleaded not guilty to six certificate forgery charges filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. In the charges, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji, who served as a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, forged his academic certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Following his not-guilty plea and an application by the defence team led by Chief James Onoja, SAN, the court admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15.

Aside from requiring the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, the court ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport and refrain from travelling outside the country without permission.

During the arraignment, a group numbering more than 300 stormed the court to demand accountability and the enforcement of the rule of law.

The group, identified as Global Gender Safety and Moral Development, said public office demands honesty, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that Nnaji, who served in President Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, before resigning, forged his academic credentials, including a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was charged with six counts of forgery relating to a UNN degree certificate and an NYSC discharge certificate, both allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The charges also include allegations that he received about ₦29.5 million in salary and emoluments under false pretences, as well as money laundering.

After his not-guilty plea, the prosecutor told the court that he was ready for trial, noting that three witnesses were already in the courtroom. Nnaji’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a bail application, which the prosecutor did not oppose.

In a short ruling, the judge granted Nnaji bail on the terms stated, ordering him to deposit his official and personal passports and refrain from travelling outside the country without the court’s permission.

Nnaji’s arraignment followed investigations into the authenticity of his academic documents, with both UNN and the NYSC reportedly disowning the certificates in question.