Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Granted N20M Bail for Forgery

Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Science and Technology, was granted bail of N20 million by Justice Joyc Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Nnaji pleaded not guilty to six counts of certificate forgery and money laundering, as charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The allegations include obtaining a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate under false pretenses, which he allegedly presented during a ministerial screening. The prosecution claims Nnaji fraudulently received N29.5 million in salary while occupying public office.

Following his arraignment, Nnaji's counsel requested time to prepare a defense, while the court ordered him to deposit his international passport with the court registrar. Nnaji was arrested on June 30, 2026, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after failing to honor several invitations for investigation.