A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted permission for the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. This decision allows Nnaji to travel abroad for medical treatment. The former minister is currently facing a six-count charge related to alleged certificate forgery, false information, and corruption.
The charges against Nnaji were preferred by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, Nnaji allegedly received N29,578,466.67 through a bank account as salary and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025. The ICPC described this sum as "proceeds of unlawful acts," contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Nnaji, 63, pleaded not guilty to the charges after being arraigned before the court. His counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), subsequently filed a motion seeking the release of Nnaji's international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment. The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the motion and ordered the release of the passport.
In addition to granting the motion, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. The court also admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20 million, with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, who has maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.
The ICPC had accused Nnaji of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the sum as salary and allowances. The remaining four counts relate to alleged certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents. Specifically, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate, knowing them to be false.
The prosecution informed the court that it has three witnesses lined up to testify. However, the decision on the bail application was left to the discretion of the court, and Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji bail with specific conditions. The court directed that the surety produce evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the last three months.
The court ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and every other travel document in his possession with the court. The case has been adjourned till October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. Nnaji's ability to travel abroad for medical treatment has been facilitated by the court's decision to release his international passport.
Key points
- The court released the international passport of former Minister Uche Nnaji to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
