ABUJA – Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday over alleged certificate forgery, money laundering and corruption-related offences.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will prosecute Nnaji before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after concluding its investigation into allegations that he submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps certificates to secure his appointment as a minister.
The anti-graft agency filed a six-count charge against the former minister, accusing him of presenting false documents to the Federal Government and unlawfully benefiting from his appointment.
According to the charge sheet, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji received about N29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister, knowing the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act.
The commission also accused him of using his office to obtain a corrupt advantage for himself.
In another count, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a false NYSC certificate to the Federal Government during his ministerial appointment process.
He was also accused of submitting a forged degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to support his nomination as minister.
The commission further alleged that the former minister knowingly produced and used the alleged forged NYSC and university certificates as genuine, contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code.
Nnaji was arrested on July 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from Enugu on a chartered flight.
His arrest followed an investigation into claims that he forged his university degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The allegations first gained public attention after reports claimed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution, he did not graduate and was never issued the degree certificate he presented.
The National Youth Service Corps also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate attributed to the former minister.
Following the controversy, Nnaji resigned from office, while the ICPC later began a formal investigation that resulted in the criminal charges.
The former minister has since joined the Peoples Democratic Party and emerged as the governorship candidate of a PDP faction ahead of the 2027 election.
He is expected to take his plea when the case comes up for hearing on Monday.
