A former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty before the Federal High Court in Abuja to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently granted the former minister bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.
The ICPC accused Nnaji, who served as Minister of Science and Technology in President Bola Tinubu’s administration between August 16, 2023 and October 6, 2025, of allegedly forging academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The anti-graft agency also alleged that he presented a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Nnaji, however, denied all the allegations when the charges were read to him in court.
Following a bail application by his counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), the court admitted him to bail under strict conditions.
Justice Abdulmalik 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.
As part of the bail conditions, Nnaji was ordered to surrender his international passport and prohibited from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
The judge adjourned the matter until July 21 for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment follows his arrest by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1 after he returned to the Federal Capital Territory.
The ICPC had confirmed that the arrest was carried out to facilitate investigations into the allegations against the former minister.
(The Whistler)