Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, on Monday, July 13, 2026, pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery, money laundering and obtaining public funds under false pretences.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before a Federal High court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the ICPC over allegations that he forged a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate which he allegedly used during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The ICPC also accused the former minister of unlawfully receiving about N29,5 million in salaries and other emoluments based on the alleged false credentials, in addition to money laundering-related offences.
However, when the charges were read to him in court, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea of not guilty, his Counsel, Mr. Ogwu Onaja, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, adding that all necessary applications have been filed.
The counsel to the ICPC did not object to the bail application, but said the prosecution was prepared to commence trial, adding that he had three witnesses lined up.
In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the former minister bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below grade level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years, and provide proof of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the last three months.
The trial judge also directed that the appropriate government authority should verify the surety’s employment status and ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court.
The case was accordingly adjourned to September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment followed his arrest by the ICPC on July 1, 2026, after the anti-graft obtained a court bench warrant.
