Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, obtaining salaries under false pretences and money laundering before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently granted the former minister bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum and adjourned the matter for commencement of trial
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that he forged a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which he allegedly presented during his ministerial screening and subsequent public service engagements.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about N29.5 million in salaries and other emoluments under false pretences while occupying public office.
According to the prosecution, the charges further include allegations of money laundering linked to the payments received by the former minister during the period under investigation.
Pleads not guilty
When the charges were read to him, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
Following his plea, counsel to the ICPC informed the court that the prosecution was ready to commence trial immediately and had already lined up three witnesses who were present in court and prepared to testify.
However, counsel to the defendant, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, urged the court to grant him time to adequately prepare for the defence.
The senior advocate also drew the attention of the court to a pending bail application filed on July 9, 2026, seeking the temporary release of his client pending the determination of the case.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik admitted the former minister to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety, who must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and resident within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court also ordered the defendant to deposit both his official and international passports with the court registrar pending the determination of the case.
Allegations against former minister
The arraignment of the former minister followed months of investigations into the authenticity of his academic and service records.
Investigators are said to have questioned the validity of the certificates presented by Nnaji during his public service career.
Reports indicate that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Youth Service Corps have allegedly disowned the certificates in question, a development that formed a major plank of the prosecution’s case.
The ICPC had earlier maintained that its investigations revealed discrepancies in the documents allegedly submitted by the former minister and that there was sufficient evidence to warrant criminal prosecution.
The allegations have generated significant public interest, particularly because they touch on issues of integrity and transparency in public office.
DSS arrest and resignation
Nnaji was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from Enugu State.
The arrest followed an order of the Federal High Court issued on June 11, 2026, after the former minister allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended to him by investigators.
The development came months after he resigned from office on October 7, 2025.
At the time of his resignation, Nnaji described his decision as a principled step aimed at preserving the sanctity of due process and enabling the legal process to run its course without interference.
He, however, denied any wrongdoing and insisted that he was innocent of the allegations levelled against him.
The former minister had also claimed that certain elements behind the case were politically motivated and intended to tarnish his reputation and derail his political ambitions.
Nnaji is currently the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State.
Protesters demand justice
The court premises also witnessed a dramatic scene as members of a civil society coalition, Global Gender Safety and Moral Development, staged a protest demanding accountability and strict adherence to the rule of law.
The group, which claimed to have mobilised over 300 members, carried placards calling for justice and urging anti-corruption agencies not to succumb to pressure in handling the matter.
Addressing journalists shortly after the court proceedings, the Convener of the group, Comrade Shuaibu Abdulkadir, said public office demands honesty, transparency and respect for the rule of law.
He insisted that no public official, regardless of status or political affiliation, should be above the law.
“Where criminal liability has been established through due process, the full weight of the law should be applied to protect the integrity of our educational institutions, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Youth Service Corps,” he said.
Abdulkadir further urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as the ICPC to continue carrying out their constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.
“Justice must prevail. Nigerians deserve leaders whose records and credentials can withstand public scrutiny. The credibility of our institutions depends on the willingness of authorities to hold individuals accountable where wrongdoing is established,” he added.
Trial to test integrity of public institutions
The trial is expected to attract significant national attention given the nature of the allegations and the prominence of the defendant.
Legal observers say the case could also reopen conversations on the verification of credentials presented by public office holders and the need for stronger institutional checks before appointments into sensitive government positions.
For now, the former minister remains on bail as the court prepares to commence full trial in what may become one of the country’s most closely watched cases involving allegations of certificate forgery and abuse of public trust.
