Court releases ex-minister Uche Nnaji’s passport for medical trip
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of the former minister of innovation, science and technology, Uche Nnaji, to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment while facing corruption and alleged certificate forgery charges.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request following an application by Nnaji’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, a senior advocate of Nigeria.
In a brief ruling, the judge ordered the passport to be released and adjourned the case until 26 October for continuation of trial.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Nnaji on 13 July on six counts relating to alleged certificate forgery, providing false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty.
According to the charges, the commission alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received ₦29.58m in salary and allowances through a bank account. The ICPC described the money as proceeds of unlawful acts and alleged an offence under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
The commission also accused Nnaji of using his public office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the money as salary and allowances.
Four other counts relate to allegations concerning his academic and National Youth Service Corps documents.
The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged NYSC certificate, numbered A231309, to the secretary to the government of the federation during documentation for his ministerial appointment.
It further alleged that he submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in microbiology/biochemistry, bearing certificate number 004501, despite allegedly knowing it was false.
The allegations have not been proved, and Nnaji has denied wrongdoing by pleading not guilty to all six counts.
At his arraignment, Onoja applied for bail on behalf of the former minister. The ICPC prosecutor, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, did not oppose the application.
Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail of ₦20m with one surety in the same amount.
The court required the surety to be a federal civil servant of at least Grade Level 15 with a fixed residence maintained for no fewer than four years. The surety was also required to provide employment documents and recent salary slips for verification.
As part of the bail conditions, Nnaji was ordered to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court.
That restriction has now been temporarily lifted to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.