Forgery Trial: Court Releases Ex-Minister Nnaji’s Passport For Medical Trip

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

The judge made the order on Monday after hearing a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN).

Nnaji, 63, is standing trial on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on July 13.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 as salary and allowances through a bank account, which the ICPC described as proceeds of unlawful acts contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Commission also alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same amount as salary and allowances, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The remaining four counts relate to alleged certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents. The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps certificate to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment.

The Commission further alleged that he submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false. It also accused him of making and using the NYSC and UNN certificates as genuine despite allegedly knowing that they were forged.

The prosecution did not oppose Nnaji’s bail application and left the matter to the discretion of the court. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted him bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that the surety must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years. The surety was also required to provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months.

As part of the bail conditions, the court had ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and any other travel documents with the court.

However, ruling on the fresh application on Monday, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the release of the passport to enable the former minister to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The court adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.