On September 22, 2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of the international passport of Uche Nnaji, a 63-year-old former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. This decision was made after a motion was filed by Nnaji's lawyers, seeking the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment. The court fixed October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Nnaji on July 13, 2026, on six counts of alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption. According to the ICPC, Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 through a bank account as salary and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025, which the commission described as "proceeds of unlawful acts." The ICPC also accused Nnaji of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself.
The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment. Additionally, the commission alleged that Nnaji submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.
The prosecution also accused Nnaji of making and using both the NYSC certificate and the UNN degree certificate as genuine, despite allegedly knowing they were forged. These allegations are contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code. Nnaji pleaded not guilty to the charges after he was arraigned before the court.
The case has been adjourned until October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. The release of Nnaji's passport is seen as a temporary reprieve for the former minister, who will have to face the court again on the scheduled date. The ICPC has been investigating Nnaji's alleged involvement in corrupt practices, and the case is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The ICPC's investigation into Nnaji's activities has uncovered several discrepancies in his credentials and financial transactions. The commission is seeking to prove that Nnaji engaged in corrupt practices while serving as minister, and the case is expected to shed more light on the allegations. The court will have to consider the evidence presented by the ICPC and the defense mounted by Nnaji's lawyers.
The case against Nnaji is one of several high-profile corruption cases being investigated by the ICPC in Nigeria. The commission has been working to uncover and prosecute cases of corruption and financial malfeasance in the country. The outcome of the case against Nnaji will be closely watched, as it has implications for the country's efforts to combat corruption.
Key points
- The Nigerian court has released the international passport of former Minister Uche Nnaji to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
- Nnaji faces six counts of alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption.
- The ICPC has alleged that Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 through a bank account as salary and allowances, which it described as "proceeds of unlawful acts."
