-
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment while his criminal trial over alleged certificate forgery and other offences continues.
-
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application on Monday after Nnaji’s counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, moved the motion seeking the release of the travel document. The judge subsequently adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.
-
Nnaji, 63, is facing a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), including allegations that he unlawfully received ₦29.58 million in salary and allowances while serving as minister and used his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself.
-
The ICPC also accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged NYSC and University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificates during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment. Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
September 21, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application on Monday following a motion filed and moved by Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN.
In a brief ruling, the judge approved the request and adjourned further proceedings in the case until October 26, 2026.
Nnaji, 63, is standing trial in a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received ₦29,578,466.67 as salary and allowances through a bank account. The commission described the money as proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the second count, the anti-corruption agency accused Nnaji of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same sum, allegedly contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The remaining four counts relate to allegations of certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents.
READ ALSO:
According to the ICPC, Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during documentation for his appointment as minister.
The prosecution further alleged that he submitted a University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.
The commission also accused him of making and using both certificates as genuine despite allegedly knowing that they were forged.
The allegations were brought under Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
The former minister was arraigned on July 13, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He was subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in like sum.
As part of the bail conditions, the court stipulated that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.
The surety was also directed to produce evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months. Justice Abdulmalik further ordered that the appropriate government authority be notified to verify the surety’s employment status.
The court had also directed Nnaji to deposit his international passport and all other travel documents with the court.
The passport has now been released following his application to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed October 26, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
