Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
The Federal High Court in Abuja has released the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), seeking the temporary release of the travel document.
The judge, in a brief ruling, ordered the release of the passport and adjourned the case until October 26 for continuation of trial.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had on July 13 arraigned Nnaji on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The commission alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received ₦29.58 million in salary and allowances, which it described as proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC also accused him of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the said amount.
The remaining counts relate to allegations that Nnaji forged and used a National Youth Service Corps certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
The prosecution alleged that the documents were presented during the documentation process for his appointment as minister and were knowingly used as genuine despite being allegedly false.
Following his arraignment, Nnaji’s counsel applied for bail. The prosecution, represented by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said it was ready to proceed with the trial but did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum. The surety was required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and to have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years.
The court also directed the surety to provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months, while the appropriate government authority was to verify the employment status.
As part of the bail conditions, the court had earlier ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court, a restriction now temporarily lifted to facilitate his medical trip.
