Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has been granted N20 million bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on certificate forgery and fraud.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The former minister is facing a six-count charge bordering on the alleged forgery of a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The charges also include allegations that he unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments under false pretences, as well as money laundering.
Upon the charges being read to him, Nnaji pleaded not guilty.
Following an application by the defence team led by Chief James Onoja, SAN, the court admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the like sum.
The court stressed that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja who must not be below grade level 15.
Aside from mandating the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, the court ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport and not travel outside the country without permission.
Justice Abdulmalik fixed July 21 for the commencement of the trial.
It will be recalled that security operatives arrested the former minister at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, upon his return to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ICPC confirmed his arrest was to facilitate its investigation into allegations against him.
