- Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all charges
- The court granted him ₦20 million bail
- His trial begins on September 21, 2026
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge filed against him over alleged forgery of academic credentials and financial offences.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Nnaji appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, where the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him over allegations that he submitted a forged University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
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The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of unlawfully receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances through false representation and included money laundering charges in the case.
After the charges were read, Nnaji entered a not guilty plea.
His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, immediately applied for bail, while the prosecution informed the court that it was prepared to begin trial with three witnesses. The prosecution did not oppose the bail request, leaving the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the former minister bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in the same amount.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant on Grade Level 15 or above who has maintained a fixed residence for at least four years. The surety is also required to provide proof of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips covering the last three months, while the relevant government authority will verify the employment details.
In addition, the court directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the determination of the case.
The trial was adjourned until September 21, 2026.
The case follows Nnaji’s arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after operatives, assisted by the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival in the country.
According to the commission, the arrest was carried out after the Federal High Court issued a bench warrant when the former minister allegedly failed to honour several invitations sent to him for questioning despite notices delivered to his Abuja and Enugu addresses, as well as his email.
The ICPC said the investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji presented forged academic credentials, including a UNN degree certificate and an NYSC discharge certificate, during his ministerial confirmation process.
Nnaji resigned from the Federal Executive Council in October 2025 after the allegations became public. At the time, he insisted that stepping down was a personal decision aimed at protecting the integrity of the judicial process and should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
He also denied forging any certificates, maintained that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and accused political opponents of orchestrating a campaign to damage his reputation.
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