The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, bail in the sum of N20 million after he pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The anti-graft agency accused Nnaji, who served in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, until his resignation on October 6, 2025, of allegedly forging academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The ICPC also alleged that the former minister presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
When the charges were read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
Following an application by his counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), the court admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15.
The court further directed the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, while ordering Nnaji to surrender his international passport. He was also barred from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 21 for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji was arrested by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, shortly after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory.
The ICPC had confirmed that the arrest was part of its ongoing investigation into allegations of certificate forgery and related offences against the former minister.
