Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge alleging certificate forgery, false pretence and money laundering.
Nnaji was arraigned on Monday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC accused the former minister of submitting a forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The charges also allege that Nnaji unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salaries and other emoluments under false pretences, alongside money laundering allegations.
After the charges were read in court, Nnaji entered a plea of not guilty. His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, immediately applied for bail on his behalf.
According to reports from the court proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that it was ready to begin trial and had witnesses available. The court subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million pending the commencement of trial.