The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday arraigned former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on six charges of certificate forgery, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Arraignment and Plea
Mr Nnaji, 63, appeared in court dressed in a white outfit and a red cap, raising his right hand to acknowledge supporters as he entered. He stood in the dock and pleaded "not guilty" to each of the six counts read by a court official.
Prosecution lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha informed the judge that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial, stating, "The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all six counts. We have witnesses in court and are ready to proceed with trial." However, defence lawyer James Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that the defence was "not ready to proceed" because it had a pending bail application.
Bail Granted
After confirming that the bail application had been served on the prosecution, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik asked if there was any opposition. Mr Akponimisingha replied that the prosecution did "not intend to file" a response and would leave the application to the court's discretion. Mr Onoja then moved the bail application, filed on 9 July, urging the court to grant it.
In her ruling, Judge Abdulmalik held that, given the lack of opposition and considering the constitutional presumption of innocence, Mr Nnaji should be granted bail. She granted him bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety. The surety must be a resident of a verifiable address within the court's jurisdiction, a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, and provide evidence of salary payment for at least three months. The court also directed the surety to deposit the original letter of appointment, evidence of promotion, a letter of introduction from the head of department, execute a bail bond, depose an affidavit of means, and deposit a recent passport photograph. Mr Nnaji was ordered to submit his passport to the court's registry, and the registrar was directed to verify all documents.
The Charges
The ICPC filed six charges against Mr Nnaji, accusing him of money laundering, abuse of office, and certificate forgery. In the first count, the ICPC alleged that Mr Nnaji received N29.58 million through his Fidelity Bank account as salary and allowances while serving as minister, when he "reasonably ought to have known" that the money formed part of the proceeds of corruption and fraud, contravening the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The second count accused him of using his office to "confer corrupt advantage" on himself, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
In the third count, the commission alleged that Mr Nnaji knowingly presented a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the federal government in support of his ministerial appointment, "with intent to mislead" the government. The fourth count alleged that he also presented a purported University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, numbered 004501, to the government in August 2023, knowing it to be false. The fifth count alleged that he knowingly produced the purported NYSC certificate around May 1986 and used it as a genuine document, contrary to the Penal Code. The sixth count alleged that he knowingly produced a purported UNN degree certificate around July 1985 and used it as a genuine document, contrary to the Penal Code.
Background and Investigation
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Sunday that the ICPC concluded its investigation into the allegations against Mr Nnaji and filed criminal charges. The charges followed months of investigation into allegations that the former minister forged academic credentials and made false declarations. The case stems from a petition challenging the authenticity of certificates Mr Nnaji allegedly submitted during his nomination and screening for ministerial appointment.
In June, the ICPC obtained a 14-day remand order to detain Mr Nnaji after informing the court that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning despite several notices. He appealed the court order authorising his arrest, arguing that the decision should be set aside. The anti-corruption agency subsequently filed criminal charges after concluding its investigation.
A PREMIUM TIMES investigation published in October last year exposed Mr Nnaji's forgery of the certificates he used to secure his ministerial appointment in 2023. The former minister has denied wrongdoing. The judge adjourned the case until 21 September for trial.
