Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, setting the stage for his arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court documents circulating online, the charges were filed on Monday under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026. The Federal Government of Nigeria is listed as the complainant, while Nnaji is the sole defendant.
The charges stem from allegations that the former minister submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his appointment and confirmation as a minister in 2023.
In the first count, the ICPC alleges that Nnaji received N29.58 million in salaries and allowances through his Fidelity Bank account while serving as minister, despite allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts linked to fraud and corruption. Prosecutors said the allegation constitutes an offence under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The second count accuses Nnaji of using his position as minister to confer a corrupt advantage on himself, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
The remaining four counts relate to the alleged submission and use of forged documents. According to the charge sheet, Nnaji knowingly presented a false NYSC certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate to the Federal Government during the ministerial appointment process. The ICPC also alleges that he produced and used both documents as genuine, offences punishable under the Penal Code.
The filing of the charges comes days after Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival from Enugu on a chartered flight.
The case follows an investigation by Premium Times which alleged that the former minister forged the UNN degree certificate and NYSC discharge certificate he submitted during his ministerial screening. According to the publication, the University of Nigeria confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he did not graduate and was never issued the degree certificate he presented.
The report also stated that the NYSC disowned the discharge certificate attributed to Nnaji. He resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public.
Nnaji had earlier filed a suit seeking to prevent the release of his academic records but later applied for an out-of-court settlement. Earlier this year,, there were reports that a panel established by the Ministry of Education concluded that the certificates attributed to the former minister were forged.
With the charges now before the Federal High Court, Nnaji is expected to be arraigned in the coming days.
