Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been granted bail of N20 million by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he pleaded not guilty to allegations of certificate forgery brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on alleged falsification of academic credentials. The ICPC accused the former minister of forging documents, including a purported degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The anti-graft agency also alleged that he submitted a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during the screening process for his appointment as a minister in 2023.
However, the former minister denied all allegations and entered a not-guilty plea when the charges were read to him in court.
Following a bail application filed by his legal team led by Chief James Onoja, SAN, the court granted him bail with conditions. The judge ordered that he provide one surety who must be a civil servant residing in Abuja and not below grade level 15.
The surety is also required to submit an affidavit of means, while Nnaji was directed to surrender his international passport and seek the court’s approval before travelling outside Nigeria.
The court subsequently fixed July 21 for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 2023 until his resignation in October 2025, was arrested by security operatives on July 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after returning to the Federal Capital Territory.
The ICPC had earlier confirmed that his arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation into allegations levelled against him.