A former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has 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.
The plea was entered on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the former minister bail in the sum of N20 million after hearing an application by his defence counsel, Chief James Onoja, SAN.
According to the charges, the anti corruption agency accused Nnaji of forging his academic credentials, including a degree certificate said to have been issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The commission also alleged that he presented a fake National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Nnaji, who served in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023 until his resignation on October 6, 2025, denied all the allegations after the charges were read in open court.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed that he must provide one surety in the same amount of N20 million. The surety must be an Abuja resident serving as a civil servant not below Grade Level 15.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the surety to file an affidavit of means. In addition, the former minister was directed to surrender his international passport and must not travel outside Nigeria without the court’s approval.
The judge adjourned the matter until July 21, when the trial is expected to begin.
Zoyols News recalls that Nnaji was arrested by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 1 shortly after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had earlier confirmed that the arrest was carried out as part of its ongoing investigation into the allegations against the former minister.
