Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery and misappropriation of funds filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
After the charges were read, the former minister denied all the allegations.
His lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on his behalf.
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The prosecution said it was ready to proceed with the trial and had three witnesses available, but did not oppose the bail request.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the same amount.
The court ordered that the surety must be a federal civil servant on Grade Level 15 or above, with a fixed residence for at least four years. The surety is also required to provide proof of employment and salary slips covering the last three months.
The judge adjourned the case until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Arrest and Investigation
Nnaji was arrested on July 1 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja before being handed over to the ICPC.
Following the arrest, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare had said the commission made several attempts to invite the former minister for questioning through different channels, including his residences in Abuja and Enugu, but he failed to honour the invitations.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for Nnaji’s arrest to facilitate investigations into the certificate forgery allegations.
Resignation from Office
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 after allegations emerged that he falsified the academic credentials submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening and confirmation process.
The ICPC alleged that the former minister’s case involves both certificate forgery and the alleged misappropriation of public funds. The trial is expected to begin when the matter comes up in September.
Nnaji, who had insisted that his resignation was not out of guilt, secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Enugu State for the 2027 general election months after his resignation as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Pinnacle Daily reported that Nnaji polled 7,424 votes to defeat his closest rival, Samson Nnamani, who garnered 600 votes, in the PDP primary election conducted across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.