Ex-Minister Nnaji Granted Bail in Certificate Forgery Case

Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Science and Technology, was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of certificate forgery and money laundering. Nnaji pleaded not guilty to six counts, which included accusations of obtaining money under false pretenses and submitting a forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, as well as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during a ministerial screening in 2023.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed the charges against him. During the proceedings, his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail, which the prosecution did not oppose, leaving the decision to the discretion of Justice Joyc Abdulmalik.

Nnaji was subsequently granted bail in the sum of 20 million naira, with conditions including the provision of sureties who are federal civil servants not below grade level 15 and maintaining a fixed place of residence for at least four years. The case is adjourned until September 21, 2026, for trial commencement.