Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦20 million after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and corruption brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted the 63-year-old to bail on Monday, ordering that he produce 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 of at least four years.
The judge also directed that the surety provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the last three months, while the relevant government authority is to verify the employment status.
In addition, the court ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the conclusion of the case.
The former minister was arraigned on charges alleging he received ₦29.58 million in salaries and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025, which the ICPC claimed were proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency also accused him of using his office to obtain a corrupt advantage and of presenting forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) certificates during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment.
Nnaji denied all six counts after they were read in court.
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During the proceedings, ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the prosecution was ready to open its case with three witnesses but did not oppose the defendant’s application for bail.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, members of the civil society organisation, Global Gender Safety and Moral Development, staged a protest outside the Federal High Court, urging the authorities to ensure the prosecution is conducted in line with the rule of law.
The group’s convener, Shuaibu Abdulkadir, said public office holders must be held accountable and called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the ICPC to pursue the case without fear or favour.
The charges stem from months of investigation into allegations that Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials and made false declarations during his nomination and screening for ministerial appointment. The former minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing.