Court Releases Nnaji’s Passport For Medical Treatment Abroad

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of 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 on Monday following a motion filed and argued by Nnaji’s counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

In a brief ruling, the judge granted the application and adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Nnaji, 63, is facing a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He was arraigned on July 13 and pleaded not guilty to all six counts.

The ICPC alleges that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 in salaries and allowances through a bank account.

The commission alleges that the funds constituted “proceeds of unlawful acts” under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the second count, the anti-graft agency accused him of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same sum, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The remaining four counts relate to alleged certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents.

The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during documentation for his ministerial appointment.

It further alleged that he submitted a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.

The prosecution also accused him of making and using both certificates as genuine despite knowing they were forged, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Shortly after Nnaji entered his plea, his counsel, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, informed the court that he had filed a bail application.

Prosecution counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was ready to proceed with the trial and had three witnesses available.

He, however, said the prosecution had no objection to bail, leaving the matter to the discretion of the court.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million, with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.

The surety was also directed to provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months.

The court further ordered the relevant government authority to verify the surety’s employment status.

As part of the bail conditions, Nnaji was ordered to deposit his international passport and all other travel documents with the court. The passport was subsequently released by the court to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.