Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of certificate forgery, misappropriation of funds and money laundering, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Nnaji was arraigned Monday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Prosecutors allege he forged a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate and a false NYSC discharge certificate submitted during his 2023 ministerial screening and unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salary and allowances.
His lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, sought time to prepare for trial and filed a bail application, which the prosecution did not oppose. Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji ₦20 million bail with one surety, a federal civil servant of at least Grade Level 15, and ordered him to surrender his passports pending trial, fixed for July 21.
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 after Premium Times reported his academic credentials couldn’t be verified, insisting his resignation wasn’t an admission of guilt. He was arrested in Abuja after missing multiple ICPC interview invitations and is now the PDP’s governorship candidate in Enugu State.
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