The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges, filed on Monday by ICPC lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, stem from a certificate forgery scandal exposed by a PREMIUM TIMES investigation.
Details of the Charges
Count one alleges that Mr Nnaji took possession of N29.5 million (N29,578,466.67) through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances while serving as minister, when he reasonably ought to have known that such funds were proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud. This offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count two accuses him of using his ministerial office to confer corrupt advantage on himself, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count three alleges that Mr Nnaji, with intent to mislead the Federal Government, knowingly gave false information by presenting a false Certificate of National Service (Number: A231309) for his ministerial appointment, violating Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Count four states that in August 2023, he knowingly gave false information by presenting a Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate (Number: 004501), knowing it to be false, also violating Section 17(1)(c).
Count five alleges that around May 1986, he knowingly produced a false document—the Certificate of National Service (No. A231309)—and used it as genuine, an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
Count six alleges that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu (63), of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false University Degree Certificate of Microbiology/Biochemistry (Number: 004501), purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985, and used it as genuine, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
Background of the Case
The filing of charges comes five days after Mr Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight. His arrest followed a two-year investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES in October 2023, which revealed that the then-minister forged his UNN degree and NYSC certificates. These documents were submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.
In October 2023, PREMIUM TIMES began investigating Mr Nnaji’s academic records. He claimed he obtained a degree from UNN in 1985. Disturbed by the scrutiny, he filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to block UNN and its Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, from releasing his records. However, before he could obtain an injunction, Mr Ortuanya responded to a PREMIUM TIMES Freedom of Information (FOI) letter, confirming that Mr Nnaji had forged his UNN degree certificate. The university registrar later corroborated that although Mr Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he neither graduated nor was issued a certificate. NYSC authorities also disowned the discharge certificate in response to a separate FOI letter.
Mr Nnaji resigned from his position as minister three days after the investigation was published. An investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed the forgery in March 2024.
Political Developments
Mr Nnaji has since moved from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In late May 2024, he emerged as the governorship candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction for the 2027 general elections. Reports indicate that he is seeking the governorship to secure immunity from prosecution.
In mid-June 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji. Despite denying the order’s existence, he filed an appeal against it on 18 June at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Additionally, the ICPC secured a court warrant to detain him for an initial 14 days.
With the charges filed, Mr Nnaji is expected to be arraigned in the coming days.
