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ICPC arraigns ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over alleged fake certificates, he pleads not guilty, granted N20m bail
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of forging his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
Nnaji was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a six-count charge bordering on certificate forgery, obtaining salaries under false pretences and alleged money laundering.
According to the charges, the former minister allegedly forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and an NYSC discharge certificate, which he reportedly presented during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The prosecution also accused him of receiving about N29.5 million in salaries and emoluments under false pretences.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecution indicated readiness to begin trial, stating that three witnesses were already present in court.
However, Nnaji’s counsel, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), requested more time to prepare for trial and urged the court to hear a pending bail application filed on July 9. The prosecution did not oppose the application.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety, who must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and resident in Abuja.
The court also ordered Nnaji to surrender both his official and international passports as part of the bail conditions.
The prosecution followed months of investigation into the authenticity of the former minister’s academic and NYSC credentials, with reports alleging that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the NYSC disowned the certificates in question.
Nnaji was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on June 30, 2026, after allegedly failing to honour several invitations for questioning.
He resigned as minister in October 2025, insisting he was innocent and describing the allegations against him as politically motivated.
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