A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, after he was arraigned on allegations of certificate forgery brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet between August 2023 and October 2025, pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge when it was read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The anti-graft agency accused the former minister of allegedly falsifying academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The ICPC also alleged that Nnaji presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during the ministerial screening process that preceded his appointment in 2023.
Following his plea, counsel to the defendant, Chief James Onoja (SAN), applied for bail, urging the court to allow his client remain at liberty pending the determination of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the former minister to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the same amount.
The court ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15 in the federal civil service.
As part of the bail conditions, the judge directed the surety to swear to an affidavit of means, while Nnaji was ordered to surrender his international passport to the court.
The court further barred the former minister from travelling outside Nigeria without prior authorisation.
After granting bail, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned proceedings until July 21 for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment follows Nnaji’s arrest by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, shortly after he arrived in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the time, the ICPC said the arrest formed part of ongoing investigations into allegations surrounding the authenticity of the former minister’s academic and service credentials.
The anti-corruption agency is expected to call witnesses and tender documentary evidence when the trial opens later this month.
Nnaji has denied all allegations levelled against him and is expected to challenge the charges during the trial.