Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Pleads Not Guilty, Gets ₦20 Million Bail Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Pleads Not Guilty to Certificate Forgery Charges, Secures ₦20 Million Bail

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of certificate forgery and related financial offences after being arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The former minister appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, abuse of office, and financial misconduct. Following his plea, the court granted him bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum, while adjourning the matter for further proceedings.


According to the ICPC, the charges against the former minister include allegations that he presented forged academic credentials and was involved in offences connected with the handling of public funds. The anti-corruption agency told the court that its investigation uncovered evidence it believes supports the charges brought against the former public official. However, Nnaji denied all the allegations when the charges were read in open court.


After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the defendant bail in the amount of N20 million. The court also directed that the bail be backed by one surety in the same amount, who must satisfy conditions set by the court.

The case was subsequently adjourned to allow for the commencement of trial.


The arraignment follows months of investigation by the ICPC into allegations relating to the authenticity of the former minister’s academic qualifications and other documents submitted during his public service. The commission has maintained that the investigation was conducted in accordance with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to the high-profile status of the defendant and the nature of the allegations.


Although the ICPC has filed charges against the former minister, it is important to note that the allegations remain before the court. Under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

The trial will provide both the prosecution and the defence with the opportunity to present evidence before the court reaches a final decision.


The arraignment has generated widespread reactions across Nigeria. While some observers have praised the ICPC for pursuing accountability regardless of public office, others have urged Nigerians to allow the judicial process to run its course without prejudice. Legal analysts note that the outcome of the trial could become an important reference point in future cases involving allegations of forged credentials by public office holders.



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The arraignment of former Minister Uche Nnaji marks another high-profile anti-corruption case before Nigeria’s courts. With the former minister pleading not guilty and securing ₦20 million bail, attention now turns to the trial, where the court will examine the evidence presented by both the ICPC and the defence before reaching a verdict.

Until then, the allegations remain unproven, and the judicial process will determine the outcome of the case.

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