Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the International Passport of former minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. The court took this decision after Nnaji's counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, filed a motion seeking the release of the passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had on July 13, arraigned Nnaji on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption. Nnaji, 63, pleaded not guilty to the charge after he was arraigned before the court. The charges against him include receiving ₦29,578,466.67 through a bank account as salary and allowances while serving as minister.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji received the sum as "proceeds of unlawful acts," contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The anti-graft agency also accused Nnaji of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same sum as salary and allowances. The case has been fixed for continuation of trial for October 26, 2026.
The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps certificate 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.
Nnaji's counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, informed the court that he had filed a motion seeking his client's bail. The prosecution, represented by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that they were prepared to proceed with the trial and had three witnesses lined up to testify. The court subsequently admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, who must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years. The court further directed that the surety should produce evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips. This decision was made to ensure that Nnaji appears in court for his trial.
The case against Nnaji is ongoing, with the court set to resume the trial on October 26, 2026. The release of his passport will enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment as approved by the court.
Key points
- The court released the International Passport of former minister Uche Nnaji to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
- Nnaji was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption.
- The case has been fixed for continuation of trial for October 26, 2026.
