Forgery trial: Court grants ex-minister Nnaji passport for medical trip

File: Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the 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 enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The judge made the order on Monday after hearing a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN).

Nnaji is standing trial before the court on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption.

The former minister, 63, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on July 13.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 as salary and allowances through a bank account, which the ICPC described as “proceeds of unlawful acts” contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the second count, the commission alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same sum as salary and allowances, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The remaining four counts relate to alleged certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents.

The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment.

The commission further alleged that he submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.

It also accused him of making and using the NYSC and UNN certificates as genuine, despite allegedly knowing that they were forged, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

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Following his arraignment, Onoja had applied for Nnaji’s bail, while ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial and had three witnesses lined up.

The prosecution, however, did not oppose the bail application and left the matter to the court’s discretion.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the surety must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.

The court also directed the surety to produce evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months.

It further ordered the relevant government authority to verify the surety’s employment status.

As part of the bail conditions, the court had ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and any other travel documents in his possession with the court.

However, ruling on the fresh application on Monday, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the release of the passport to enable the former minister to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The judge adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.