Ex-Minister Nnaji Faces Civil Suit, Denies Criminal Charges Amid ICPC Case

The camp of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has stated that recent reports on his legal matters have conflated separate civil and criminal proceedings, creating public misunderstanding.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, Nnaji’s team said the aim was to clarify the legal position and not to try the case in the media.

According to the statement, the main case involving Nnaji’s academic records is a civil suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025. It was filed by Nnaji himself, seeking judicial clarification and the release of his official university transcript.

The statement stressed that Nnaji is not a criminal defendant in that suit. When the matter came up before Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa on April 20, 2026, parties told the court that settlement talks were ongoing, leading to an adjournment.

When it resumed on July 8, 2026, counsel informed the court that the talks had failed. The judge then adjourned the case to October 20, 2026 for definite hearing.

On reports that the ICPC has filed criminal charges, the camp said neither Nnaji nor his lawyers had been formally served with any charge, hearing notice or notice of arraignment as of Tuesday. It added that he would appear in court once served and defend himself.

The statement also addressed an earlier ex parte arrest warrant obtained by the ICPC. It said the order was based on allegations that Nnaji failed to honour invitations and might abscond, claims he disputes.

Nnaji’s camp insisted that no invitation was served at his Abuja and Enugu residences or through his official email, and that he remained in public view during the period, attending meetings and granting interviews.

His legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has appealed the ex parte order and filed for a stay of execution. That appeal is still pending at the Court of Appeal.

The statement further accused some media outlets of presenting procedural orders like arrest warrants as proof of guilt, arguing that culpability can only be determined after a full trial.

It noted that Nnaji voluntarily resigned as minister to focus on clearing his name in court, and reaffirmed his commitment to due process.

The camp urged the public and the media to distinguish between civil and criminal cases, between allegations and convictions, and between court processes and final judicial findings.

It concluded that every Nigerian is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court, expressing confidence that “the truth will prevail.”