Court Sets July 21 for Nnaji's Forgery Trial

The trial of Nnaji, who is facing six counts of forgery regarding his academic credentials, is scheduled to commence on July 21. Justice Joyc Abdulmalik presided over the case, where Nnaji pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while attempting to board a private jet to Abuja on July 1. Following his arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in the Federal Capital Territory, he was handed over to the ICPC.

Nnaji, who was appointed minister on August 16, 2023, resigned from President Bola Tinubu's government on October 6, 2025, amid allegations of forgery concerning his first degree and NYSC certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), which the institution has since disowned. The court granted him bail of N20 million, with conditions including the submission of his international passport and the requirement for sureties who are civil servants at or above grade level 15.