Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of certificate forgery and fraud.
He was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
The ICPC alleged that the former minister forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and an NYSC discharge certificate which he submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The Commission also accused him of illegally receiving about N29.5 million in salary and allowances while serving as minister.
According to Count 1, Nnaji “took possession” of N29,578,466.67 paid into his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances, “when he reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud.”
The ICPC said this offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In count two, he was accused of using his ministerial office to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself during the same period, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In count three, he was accused of misleading the Federal Government of Nigeria, knowingly gave false information” by presenting a “false Certificate of National Service” (Certificate Number: A231309) to the government for his ministerial appointment.
The commission said he committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In count four, he was alleged to have in August 2023, gave false information by presenting a Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate (Certificate Number: 004501) to the government, knowing it to be false, thereby violating the same section of the Corrupt Practices Act.
According to count five, around May 1986, Mr Nnaji knowingly produced a false document – the Certificate of National Service (No. A231309) – and used it as genuine, committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
In count six, ICPC alleged that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu (63), of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false document – a “University Degree Certificate of Microbiology/Biochemistry with Certificate Number: 004501”—purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985.
He was said to have used the document as genuine, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.The prosecutor informed the court that he was ready to proceed to trial, with three witnesses available in the courtroom already.
Ogwu Onoja, SAN, counsel for the defendant pleaded for more time to prepare for trial and informed the court of a pending application for bail filed on 9 July, 2026.
The prosecutor did not oppose to the application for bail.
The trial judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20million with one surety who must not be below level 15 in the Federal civil service.
