Ex-science minister arraigned over alleged fake degree, NYSC certificates
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, obtaining salaries under false pretences and money laundering.
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that he forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments under false pretences and engaging in money laundering.
After the charges were read, Nnaji entered a plea of not guilty to all counts.
His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, informed the court that a motion for bail had been filed on behalf of the defendant.
Counsel to the ICPC said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial and had lined up three witnesses. He, however, raised no objection to the bail application, leaving the matter to the discretion of the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with a verifiable fixed residence maintained for at least four years. The surety is also required to submit evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the last three months.
The judge further directed that the relevant authority verify the employment status of the surety and ordered the former minister to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court.
The case was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment follows Nnaji’s arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
According to the commission, the former minister was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival in the country. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Department of State Services before he was transferred to ICPC custody.
The commission said it had earlier invited Nnaji for questioning through a letter dated May 15, 2026, which was delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu as well as his email address.
The ICPC said Nnaji failed to honour the invitations, prompting it to obtain a court order authorising his arrest in connection with allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials during the 2023 ministerial screening exercise.
The allegations centre on claims that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka could not verify the degree certificate presented by Nnaji, as well as accusations that his NYSC discharge certificate was falsified.
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 following public controversy surrounding the allegations. At the time, he insisted that stepping down was not an admission of guilt but a decision aimed at preserving the integrity of the judicial process.
He maintained that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and described the allegations as part of a politically motivated campaign to tarnish his reputation.