‘Certificate forgery’: Ex-minister Nnaji pleads ‘not guilty’, secures N20m bail

 The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Uche Nnaji, former minister of science and
technology, over allegations of certificate forgery and misappropriation of
funds.

 

Nnaji was arraigned on Monday before Joyce Abdulmalik, a
judge at the federal high court in Abuja, on a six-count charge bordering on
alleged certificate forgery and misappropriation of funds.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the former minister took his plea, Ogwu Onoja, his
counsel, informed the court about the bail application that had been filed.

However, the prosecution counsel said they were ready for
trial with the presentation of three witnesses.

The counsel did not oppose the bail application.

Subsequently, Abdulmalik granted him bail in the sum of N20
million with one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a federal civil servant not below grade
level 15 with fixed place of residence for at least four years.

The surety must submit evidence of employment, and provide
salary slips for the last three months.

The case was adjourned to September 21, 2026 for
commencement of trial.

On July 1, Nnaji was arrested by operatives of the
Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
in Abuja.

He was subsequently handed over to the ICPC.

Following the arrest, Okor Odey, ICPC’s spokesperson, said
the commission sent invitation letters to Nnaji through multiple channels,
including his residential addresses in Abuja and Enugu.

Odey said despite being served through multiple channels,
Nnaji failed to honour the invitations.

The ICPC spokesperson said the federal high court in Abuja
had issued a bench warrant against Nnaji to enable the commission to
investigate allegations of certificate forgery.

In October 2025, Nnaji resigned as minister following
allegations of certificate forgery.

Before his resignation, he came under scrutiny over claims
that he forged the credentials he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the
senate during his ministerial confirmation process.

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