A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is set to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged certificate forgery and related corruption offences.
Nnaji is expected to appear before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce on Monday, July 13, following the conclusion of investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The planned arraignment follows the filing of a six-count criminal charge against the former minister over allegations that he forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate, which he allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening and appointment process in 2023.
The case also follows Nnaji’s arrest on July 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
In the charge, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji took possession of ₦29,578,466.67 through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances while serving as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, when he allegedly ought to have known that the funds formed part of proceeds of unlawful conduct.
The commission said the alleged act amounted to an offence under Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the second count, Nnaji is accused of using his ministerial office to confer corrupt advantage on himself, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The third count alleges that he knowingly gave false information to the Federal Government by presenting a purported false Certificate of National Service, numbered A231309, for the purpose of his ministerial appointment.
In count four, the ICPC alleged that in August 2023, Nnaji knowingly presented a purported Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate, numbered 004501, to the Federal Government, knowing it to be false.
The commission said both alleged acts violated Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count five alleges that around May 1986, Nnaji knowingly produced a false National Service Certificate and used it as genuine, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
The sixth count alleges that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu, 63, of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false University Degree Certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, numbered 004501, purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985, and used it as genuine.
The allegation is said to be contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
The case stems from controversy over Nnaji’s academic records after he submitted degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial confirmation process.
Nnaji had claimed that he obtained a degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1985. However, UNN authorities reportedly confirmed that although he was admitted in 1981, he did not graduate and was not issued any certificate by the university.
The NYSC was also said to have disowned the discharge certificate in his possession.
Before the release of the university’s response, Nnaji had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, the university registrar, a former acting Vice-Chancellor and the University Senate from releasing his academic records.
He later reportedly applied for an out-of-court settlement through his legal team.
Nnaji resigned from office after the certificate controversy became public.
An investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, was also reported to have confirmed that the former minister forged his certificates.
Nnaji has since moved from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party and, in May, emerged as the governorship candidate of a PDP faction backed by Nyesom Wike for the 2027 election.
In June, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest him. Although he reportedly denied the existence of the order, he filed an appeal against it at the Court of Appeal on June 18.
The ICPC also obtained a court warrant to detain the former minister for an initial 14 days.
Nnaji has not been convicted of the allegations.