The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N20 million bail to former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, after he pleaded not guilty to a six-count certificate forgery charge on Monday, July 13. The charge, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accuses Nnaji of falsifying his academic credentials.
Allegations of Forged Academic Credentials
Specifically, the ICPC alleges that Nnaji forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He also faces accusations of presenting a fraudulent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his Senate ministerial screening process in 2023. Nnaji, who served in the cabinet from August 16, 2023, until his resignation on October 6, 2025, maintains his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all counts before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Bail Granted With Strict Conditions
Following the not-guilty plea, the defense counsel successfully argued for bail. Justice Abdulmalik granted administrative release under specific terms. The defense must provide a surety in the sum of N20 million who is a civil servant residing within the Federal Capital Territory and holding a rank no lower than Grade Level 15. The court further directed that the surety depose to an affidavit of means, while the former minister must surrender his international passport and obtain explicit judicial clearance before any international travel.
Trial Date Set
The judge has scheduled July 21 for the formal commencement of the trial. Nnaji had previously been taken into custody by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return to Abuja on July 1 to facilitate the commission's long-running investigation.
