Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is set to be arraigned before a federal high court on Monday, 13 July, on charges of certificate forgery and corruption. The arraignment follows the conclusion of an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has filed six criminal charges against the former minister.
Arraignment Details
Mr Nnaji will appear before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sources close to the investigation confirmed that the arraignment is the result of a probe into his certificate forgery scandal, which was first reported by PREMIUM TIMES in October 2023. The ICPC had arrested Mr Nnaji on 1 July at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight.
The Six-Count Charge
PREMIUM TIMES obtained the criminal charge sheet detailing the allegations. Count one accuses Mr Nnaji of taking possession of N29.5 million (N29,578,466.67) through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances while serving as minister, knowing the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act—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 alleges he used his ministerial office to confer corrupt advantage on himself, violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Count three states that Mr Nnaji knowingly gave false information by presenting a false Certificate of National Service (Number: A231309) to the Federal Government for his ministerial appointment, an offence under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Count four involves presenting a false Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate (Number: 004501) in August 2023, also violating the same section. Count five alleges that around May 1986, Mr Nnaji knowingly produced a false Certificate of National Service (No. A231309) and used it as genuine, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code. Count six accuses him of producing a false University Degree Certificate (Certificate Number: 004501) purportedly from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985, using it as genuine, an offence under Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
Background of the Scandal
In October 2023, PREMIUM TIMES began investigating Mr Nnaji’s academic records after he submitted his degree and NYSC certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation. He claimed to have obtained a degree from UNN in 1985. In response to scrutiny, Mr Nnaji filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to block UNN and its Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, from releasing his academic records. However, before he could obtain an injunction, the Vice-Chancellor had already confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES via a Freedom of Information response that Mr Nnaji’s degree certificate was forged. The university registrar later corroborated that Mr Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never graduated or received a certificate. NYSC authorities also disowned his discharge certificate.
Mr Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after the investigation was published. In March 2024, an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed the forgery. Mr Nnaji has since moved from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party and emerged as the governorship candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction for the 2027 elections. If elected, he would have immunity from prosecution. In mid-June, a Federal High Court ordered his arrest, which he appealed on 18 June. The ICPC also secured a warrant to detain him for 14 days.
