Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji is staring at possible multiple jail terms following the six-count charge of certificate forgery and money laundering preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). A review of the legislation prescribing punishment for the offences reveals that the federal high court could sentence him to anywhere between 47 and 57 years in prison, depending on whether the sentences run concurrently or consecutively.
Mr Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 July. The trial judge adjourned proceedings until 21 September. The ICPC had arrested him on 1 July, shortly before filing the charge.
Six-Count Charge and the Legal Framework
The charge sheet, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, contains six counts spanning money laundering, conferring corrupt advantage, giving false information, and forgery. The first count accuses the former minister of taking possession of N29.5 million through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary while a minister, even though he reasonably ought to have known that the funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act. This is said to contravene Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same law. That subsection prescribes a custodial term of not less than four years and not more than 14 years, or a fine of at least five times the value of the proceeds, or both.
The second count alleges that Mr Nnaji abused his ministerial office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself. The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000, which states: "Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without option of fine."
False Documents and Penal Code Charges
Counts three and four relate to false information and forged certificates presented to the Federal Government and the Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023. He allegedly presented a forged NYSC Certificate of National Service and a Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), with certificate number 004501, knowing them to be false. Both counts are brought under Section 17(1)(c) of the ICPC Act, which carries a five-year term upon conviction.
The remaining two counts are grounded in the Penal Code, applicable in northern Nigeria, since the alleged offences were committed in Abuja. Count five accuses Mr Nnaji of forging a Certificate of National Service (No. A231309) around May 1986 and using it as genuine, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364. The latter section provides that "whoever commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with fine or with both." Count six similarly alleges that he forged a UNN degree certificate around July 1985. If found guilty on both counts, he could face two additional terms of up to 14 years each.
Aggregate Sentence Possibilities
Since the highest maximum term attached to any single count is 14 years, the court may order the sentences to run concurrently, which would cap his imprisonment at 14 years. Alternatively, if the court decides on consecutive sentences, the aggregate could rise to 47 years, based on the lowest applicable terms, or even 57 years if the maximum terms are imposed for all counts. The exact outcome will depend on the judge's discretion at sentencing.
Precedents and Previous Convictions
The ICPC has a track record of securing convictions under these provisions. In 2014, the anti-graft agency obtained the conviction of Bello Ahmed, then Acting Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau, for collecting double Duty Tour Allowance for the same trip. A Zamfara State High Court sentenced him to five years imprisonment for violating Section 19 of the ICPC Act.
More recently, the commission secured the conviction of a Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Idris Barde, on a two-count charge of accepting gratification to secure employment in the corps. Justice Ngozika Nwabulu of the FCT High Court in Kurudu, Abuja, convicted him last month, also for contravening Section 18 of the ICPC Act.
In June 2025, under the Penal Code, the ICPC also won a conviction against Iyonu Eseme, a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria staff member, for using a forged Trade Test Certificate to obtain employment. Mr Eseme was found guilty of forgery and an offence under Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act.
How the Case Unfolded
The former minister’s legal troubles began following a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, published in October last year. The report revealed that Mr Nnaji, who claimed to have earned a UNN degree in 1985, had submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening. When the newspaper pressed for his records, Mr Nnaji sued the UNN and its vice-chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, to prevent the release of his transcripts. He also named the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, the university registrar, a former acting vice-chancellor, Oguejiofo Ujam, and the University Senate as defendants. He later sought an out-of-court settlement.
The university, however, had already responded to a Freedom of Information request, confirming that Mr Nnaji had forged his degree certificate. The registrar further stated that although Mr Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he neither graduated nor was issued a certificate. NYSC also disowned the discharge certificate in his possession. Three days after the investigation was published, Mr Nnaji resigned as minister.
Earlier this year, legal practitioner Liborous Oshoma publicly criticised the government for not prosecuting him and argued that he should be barred from public office. In March, an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed the forgery.
Political Motives and Arrest
Mr Nnaji has since defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. In late May, he was announced as the governorship candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction for the 2027 elections. Analysts say he is seeking the office to gain immunity from prosecution. In mid-June, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest him. Although Mr Nnaji denied the existence of the order and filed an appeal on 18 June, the commission went ahead and arrested him. It also obtained a court warrant to detain him for an initial 14 days.
