The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal cost in opposition to a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The ICPC filed the charges earlier than the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, based on a criminal cost sheet solely obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. The fee, by its lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, filed the charges on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which is listed as the complainant, whereas Mr Nnaji stays the only real defendant.
The swimsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, is predicated on the previous minister’s certificates forgery scandal, which was uncovered by a PREMIUM TIMES investigation.
The submitting of the charges comes 5 days after Mr Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Enugu by way of a chartered flight. His arrest adopted a painstaking two-year investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES in October final 12 months, which revealed that the then-minister solid his UNN diploma and NYSC certificates. These paperwork had been submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate throughout his ministerial affirmation in 2023.
Inside the six-count cost
Count one of many charges states that Mr Nnaji “took possession” of N29.5 million (N29,578,466.67) by his Fidelity Bank account as fundamental wage and allowances whereas serving as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, “when you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud.”
The ICPC argued that, by this act, Mr Nnaji dedicated an offence opposite to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable underneath Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count two accuses him of utilizing his ministerial workplace to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself throughout the identical interval. “You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,” the cost sheet reads.
Under depend three, the ICPC alleges that Mr Nnaji, “with intent to mislead the Federal Government of Nigeria, knowingly gave false information” by presenting a “false Certificate of National Service” (Certificate Number: A231309) to the federal government for his ministerial appointment. The fee contends that he dedicated an offence opposite to and punishable underneath Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count 4 alleges that, in August 2023, Mr Nnaji knowingly gave “false information” by presenting a Microbiology/Biochemistry diploma certificates (Certificate Number: 004501) to the federal government, realizing it to be false, thereby violating the identical part of the Corrupt Practices Act.
In depend 5, the ICPC alleges that, round May 1986, Mr Nnaji knowingly produced a false doc—the Certificate of National Service (No. A231309)—and used it as real, committing an offence opposite to Section 363 and punishable underneath Section 354 of the Penal Code.
Count six alleges that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu (63), of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false doc—a “University Degree Certificate of Microbiology/Biochemistry with Certificate Number: 004501”—purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, round July 1985. He is accused of utilizing the doc as real, thereby committing an offence opposite to Section 363 and punishable underneath Section 364 of the Penal Code.
With the charges filed, Mr Nnaji is anticipated to be arraigned within the coming days.
Background
In October 2023, PREMIUM TIMES started investigating Mr Nnaji’s tutorial data. The then-minister had submitted his diploma and NYSC certificates to President Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate throughout his ministerial affirmation. He claimed he obtained a level from UNN in 1985.
Disturbed by the scrutiny, Mr Nnaji filed a swimsuit on the Federal High Court in Abuja to dam the UNN and its Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, from releasing his tutorial data. Other defendants within the swimsuit included the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, the college’s registrar, its former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofo Ujam, and the University Senate. However, the politician just lately utilized for an out-of-court settlement by his authorized workforce.
Before Mr Nnaji might acquire a courtroom injunction, Mr Ortuanya had already responded to a PREMIUM TIMES Freedom of Information (FOI) letter, confirming that Mr Nnaji had solid his UNN diploma certificates. The college registrar later corroborated this, indicating that though Mr Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he neither graduated nor was issued a certificates.
NYSC authorities additionally disowned the discharge certificates within the possession of the then-minister in response to a separate FOI letter. Mr Nnaji resigned from his place as minister three days after this newspaper printed the investigation.
READ ALSO: ICPC secures 14-day remand warrant to detain ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over certificate forgery
Earlier this 12 months, authorized practitioner Liborous Oshoma criticised the Nigerian authorities for failing to prosecute Mr Nnaji, sustaining that he ought to be barred from holding public workplace as a deterrent. Meanwhile, in March, this newspaper exclusively reported that an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that Mr Nnaji solid his certificates.
Mr Nnaji has since moved from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In late May, he emerged as the governorship candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction for the 2027 basic elections. Reports point out that Mr Nnaji is looking for the governorship to secure immunity from prosecution.
In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji. Despite denying the order’s existence, he filed an appeal against it on 18 June on the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Additionally, the ICPC secured a court warrant to detain the previous minister for an preliminary 14 days.