The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday arraigned the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on six charges including certificate forgery, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The 63-year-old appeared before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Counts three through six focus on allegations of certificate forgery, while the first two counts involve the alleged misappropriation of public funds during his time in office.
Upon hearing the charges, the former minister entered a plea of not guilty.
His defense lawyer, James Onoja (SAN), moved a bail application, which the prosecution did not oppose. Judge Abdulmalik granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety, noting the constitutional presumption of innocence.
The judge set strict requirements for the surety, who must be a federal civil servant of at least Grade Level 15 with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court further ordered the former minister to surrender his passport and verify all submitted documentation.
The case has been adjourned until 21 September for the commencement of the trial.
Regarding the specific allegations, the ICPC claimed that Mr. Nnaji received N29.58 million through his Fidelity Bank account while serving as minister, money the commission stated he reasonably ought to have known was linked to proceeds of corruption and fraud.
Additionally, the commission alleged that he knowingly presented a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, and a purported University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, numbered 004501, to the federal government with intent to mislead during his ministerial appointment process.
