Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of ₦20 million.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the former minister to bail after he was arraigned on allegations that he falsified academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and presented a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 2023 until his resignation in October 2025, denied all the allegations when the charges were read to him in court.
His resignation from the Federal Executive Council came amid mounting scrutiny over questions surrounding his academic qualifications. The controversy intensified after allegations emerged that some of the credentials he submitted during his appointment process were forged, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.
Following an application by his counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), the court granted Nnaji bail on the condition that he provides one surety in like sum.
The judge ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15. The court also directed the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, while Nnaji was ordered to surrender his international passport and refrain from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s approval.
The court subsequently fixed July 21 for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment follows Nnaji’s arrest by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, shortly after he returned to the Federal Capital Territory.
The ICPC had confirmed that the former minister was taken into custody to facilitate investigations into the alleged forgery of his academic and NYSC certificates.
The anti-graft agency is expected to present evidence in support of its case when the trial begins later this month.
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