Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. This decision allows Nnaji to travel abroad for medical treatment. The order was made after Nnaji's counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, filed a motion requesting the release of the passport for this purpose.
Nnaji is currently standing trial on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The charges include alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption. The former minister, aged 63, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on July 13. The ICPC alleges that Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 as salary and allowances through a bank account described as "proceeds of unlawful acts."
The charges against Nnaji also involve allegations of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the aforementioned sum as salary and allowances. Additionally, the ICPC accuses Nnaji of presenting a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, knowing them to be false.
Following his arraignment, Nnaji's counsel applied for bail, and the prosecution, represented by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, stated readiness to proceed with the trial. The court subsequently admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum. The surety had to be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a fixed place of residence for at least four years.
As part of the bail conditions, Nnaji was required to deposit his international passport and any other travel documents with the court. However, in a recent ruling, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the release of the passport to enable Nnaji to travel abroad for medical treatment. The case has been adjourned until October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The ICPC had alleged that Nnaji's actions contravened several laws, including the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The commission also accused Nnaji of making and using the NYSC and UNN certificates as genuine, despite knowing they were forged.
The case against Nnaji will continue on October 26, 2026. The court's decision to grant Nnaji's passport for medical treatment highlights the balance between allowing a defendant to access medical care and ensuring that trials proceed as scheduled.
Key points
- The court granted Nnaji's passport for medical treatment.
- Nnaji faces charges of certificate forgery and corruption.
- The trial has been adjourned until October 26, 2026.
