Former Science Minister Uche Nnaji Arraigned Over Alleged Certificate Forgery, Gets ₦20m Bail

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the former minister bail in the sum of ₦20 million after he pleaded not guilty to all six counts preferred against him by the anti-corruption agency.

According to the charge, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, forged his academic certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Following his not guilty plea, defence counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), applied for bail, which the court granted.

Justice Abdulmalik admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15. The surety is also required to depose to an affidavit of means.

The judge further ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until July 21 for the commencement of trial.

BREAKING: ICPC Arraigns Former Minister, Nnaji Over Certificate Forgery

By Olakunle Olasanmi

Abuja

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Monday, granted N20 million bail to the former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

Nnaji pleaded not guilty to a six-count certificate forgery charge the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed against him.

In the charge, ICPC alleged that Nnaji, who was a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025 forged his academic certifiacte from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

After he pleadedd no guilty to the charge and the application by the defence team led by Chief James Onoja, SAN, the court admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the like sum.

The court said the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja who must not be below grade level 15.

Aside from mandating the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, the court ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport and not travel outside the country without permission.

Justice Abdulmalik fixed July 21 for the commencement of the trial.

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