The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Monday arraigned former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged certificate forgery and misappropriation of funds.
Nnaji was docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on the alleged offences.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, his counsel, Ogwu Onoja, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on his behalf.
Counsel to the ICPC told the court that the prosecution was ready to commence trial with three witnesses but did not oppose the bail request.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a fixed place of residence for at least four years.
The judge also directed that the surety must provide evidence of employment as well as salary slips covering the last three months.
The matter was thereafter adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Kano Times reports that Nnaji was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, on July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, before he was handed over to the ICPC.
Following his arrest, the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, had said the commission sent invitation letters to the former minister through multiple channels, including his residential addresses in Abuja and Enugu, but he failed to honour them.
According to the anti-graft agency, the Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently issued a bench warrant against Nnaji to facilitate investigations into allegations that he forged academic certificates.
Nnaji had resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October 2025 following the certificate forgery allegations.
Before his resignation, he faced scrutiny over claims that he submitted forged academic credentials to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening and confirmation process.
