The Federal High Court in Abuja has released the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request after a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, was moved in court. In a short ruling, the judge ordered the passport’s release and fixed October 26 for continuation of trial.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned the former minister on July 13 on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty.
According to the charges, the ICPC alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received ₦29,578,466.67 through a bank account as salary and allowances, which the commission described as “proceeds of unlawful acts, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” A second count accused him of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same sum, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The remaining four counts relate to alleged certificate forgery. The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during his ministerial documentation process. 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, and that he used both documents as genuine despite allegedly knowing they were forged, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
Shortly after his plea, his counsel informed the court of a bail application. ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha said the prosecution was ready to proceed with three witnesses lined up, but raised no objection to bail, leaving the decision to the court’s discretion.
Justice Abdulmalik admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with a fixed place of residence for at least four years, and must produce evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the last three months. The court ordered that the relevant government authority be notified to verify the surety’s employment status, and directed Nnaji to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
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