ICPC Moves to Arraign Ex-Minister Nnaji, Files Criminal Charges

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is set to face trial after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission filed a six-count criminal charge against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges, filed on Monday on behalf of the Federal Government, stem from allegations of certificate forgery, money laundering and abuse of office following a lengthy investigation by the anti-graft agency.

Court documents show that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, names Nnaji as the only defendant. The prosecution followed his arrest last week at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after he arrived from Enugu on a chartered flight. The arrest came after investigations linked him to the alleged use of forged academic and National Youth Service Corps certificates during his appointment as minister in 2023.

According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused Nnaji of receiving over N29.5 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister, alleging that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts connected to fraud and corruption. The commission also claimed he improperly benefited from his public office.

The agency further alleged that Nnaji knowingly submitted a false NYSC discharge certificate and a fake University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate to the Federal Government during his ministerial appointment process. Prosecutors said the documents were used to secure his position despite their alleged lack of authenticity.

The remaining charges accuse the former minister of producing and presenting forged documents as genuine. The ICPC said the alleged offences violated provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Penal Code.

With the charges now before the court, Nnaji is expected to be arraigned in the coming days.

The case followed investigations that began in 2023 into the former minister’s educational qualifications. During the inquiry, he sought a court order to stop the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from releasing his academic records. However, the university later confirmed that although he gained admission in 1981, he did not graduate and was never issued the degree certificate he presented.

The National Youth Service Corps also disowned the discharge certificate linked to Nnaji after responding to an information request. He resigned from office shortly after the reports became public.

Earlier this year, an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education reportedly concluded that the certificates were forged. A Federal High Court later ordered the ICPC to arrest the former minister, after which the commission obtained a detention warrant while investigations continued.

Nnaji has since left the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party, where he later emerged as the governorship candidate of a PDP faction backed by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for the 2027 election.

Reports have suggested that his governorship ambition could provide constitutional immunity if elected, although no court has ruled on that claim.

His legal team has also challenged some of the court decisions connected to the investigation through an appeal.