Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been granted ₦20 million bail after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, where he denied all the allegations brought against him.
According to the ICPC, the former minister allegedly forged his academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The anti-graft agency also accused him of presenting an alleged fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Following his plea, defence counsel Chief James Onoja (SAN) applied for bail, which was granted by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The court admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must be a Grade Level 15 or above civil servant residing in Abuja and must provide an affidavit of means.
The court also directed the former minister to surrender his international passport and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
The case was adjourned until July 21, when the trial is expected to begin.
Nnaji, who served as Minister of Science and Technology in President Bola Tinubu’s administration from August 2023 to October 2025, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1 upon his return to the Federal Capital Territory.
The ICPC said the arrest was part of its investigation into the allegations against the former minister.
Source: ICPC.
