From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not responsible to a six-count certificates forgery cost filed in opposition to him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and was granted N20 million bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Meanwhile, a bunch Global Gender Safety and Moral Development, numbering over 300 stormed saying public workplace calls for honesty, accountability, and respect for the rule of regulation.
The anti-corruption company alleged that Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cupboard from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, earlier than resigning, solid his educational credentials, together with a level certificates from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The former minister was arraigned earlier than Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on six counts bordering on forgery of a UNN diploma certificates and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificates, each allegedly submitted throughout his ministerial screening in 2023.
The prices additionally embody allegations that he obtained about N29.5 million in wage and emoluments beneath false pretenses, in addition to cash laundering.
After the not-guilty plea, the prosecutor advised the court docket he was prepared for trial, with three witnesses already within the courtroom.
Nnaji’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, requested for extra time to arrange and drew the court docket’s consideration to a bail utility filed on July 9. The prosecutor did not oppose the appliance.
In a brief ruling, the decide granted Nnaji bail within the sum of N20 million with one surety, who should not be under Level 15 within the federal civil service and should reside in Abuja. The surety is required to depose an affidavit of means.
Nnaji was additionally ordered to deposit his official and private passports and not to journey exterior the nation with out the court docket’s permission.
Justice Abdulmalik mounted July 21 for the graduation of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment follows months of investigation into the authenticity of his educational paperwork.
Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in query.
Meanwhile, throughout the arraignment a bunch numbering over 300 stormed the court docket to demand accountability and the enforcement of the rule of regulation.
The group, Global Gender Safety and Moral Development stated public workplace calls for honesty, accountability, and respect for the rule of regulation.
Shuaibu Abdulkadir, convener of the group known as on all related authorities to make sure that the matter is dealt with strictly in accordance with the regulation and that no particular person is above justice.
“Where felony legal responsibility has been established by means of due course of, the total weight of the regulation needs to be utilized to guard the integrity of our instructional establishments, together with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“We urge the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to continue discharging their constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour. Justice must prevail,”
He stated.