Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji has pleaded not guilty to six criminal charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, rejecting allegations of certificate forgery, fraud and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik took the plea on Monday after the anti-graft agency accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged University of Nigeria, Nsukka and National Youth Service Corps certificates during his ministerial screening before the National Assembly in 2023.

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The ICPC further alleged that Nnaji unlawfully received about ₦29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister and accused him of conferring a corrupt advantage on himself by securing public office with false documents.

According to the commission, Nnaji knowingly submitted a false NYSC Certificate of National Service, identified as Certificate No. A231309, to mislead the Federal Government during the appointment process.

Prosecutors also alleged that he presented a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, which they claimed was not genuine.

The anti-corruption agency further charged the former minister with knowingly producing and using the disputed NYSC and university certificates as authentic, offences it said contravened provisions of the Penal Code and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.

Nnaji, however, denied all six counts.

Following the plea, defence counsel Ogwu Onoja (SAN) urged the court to grant bail, noting that an application had already been filed.

Although the ICPC said it was prepared to commence trial immediately with three witnesses available to testify, the prosecution did not oppose the bail request, leaving the decision to the court’s discretion.

Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years, provide proof of employment and submit salary slips covering the previous three months.

The court also ordered the former minister to surrender his international passport and other travel documents pending the determination of the case.

The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The charges mark the latest development in a case that has attracted significant public attention since allegations first emerged over the authenticity of Nnaji’s academic and NYSC credentials.

The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 amid the controversy but has consistently maintained that he did not forge either certificate.

Before the arraignment, Nnaji was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, 2026, and was subsequently handed over to the ICPC after a Federal High Court issued a bench warrant.

The commission said the warrant followed Nnaji’s failure to honour several invitations for questioning despite being formally notified.

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The case is expected to test the prosecution’s allegations against the former minister, who has previously challenged claims of forgery in court and has maintained that the accusations are unfounded.