Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the former minister bail in the sum of ₦20 million after he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji—who served in the cabinet of Bola Ahmed Tinubu between August 2023 and October 2025—is accused of forging an academic certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Following his plea, defence counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), applied for bail, which the court granted with conditions. The judge ruled that the defendant must provide one surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15, and must also depose to an affidavit of means.
The court further ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and barred him from travelling outside the country without prior approval.
The case was adjourned until July 21 for the commencement of trial.