Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty 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.
The anti-corruption company alleged that Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cupboard from 16 August 2023 to six October 2025 earlier than resigning, cast his tutorial 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 the 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 costs additionally embrace allegations that he obtained about N29.5 million in wage and emoluments underneath false pretences, in addition to cash laundering.
After the not-guilty plea, the prosecutor informed the courtroom that he was prepared for trial, with three witnesses already in the courtroom.
Nnaji’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, requested for extra time to organize and drew the courtroom’s consideration to a bail utility filed on 9 July. The prosecutor did not oppose the appliance.
In a brief ruling, the choose granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety, who should not be beneath Grade Level 15 in the federal civil service and should reside in Abuja. The surety is required to depose to an affidavit of means.
Nnaji was additionally ordered to deposit his official and private passports and not to journey outdoors the nation with out the courtroom’s permission.
Justice Abdulmalik fastened 21 July for the graduation of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment follows months of investigation into the authenticity of his tutorial paperwork.
Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in query.
He was arrested on 30 June 2026 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his arrival from Enugu.
The arrest adopted a Federal High Court order issued on 11 June 2026 after he allegedly did not honour a number of invites for investigative interviews.