The Federal High Court in Abuja has released the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request during proceedings on Tuesday following a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja.
In a brief ruling, the judge ordered the release of the Uche Nnaji passport and fixed October 26 for the continuation of his trial.
The former minister is facing a six-count charge brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Nnaji was arraigned by the anti-corruption agency on July 13 over allegations bordering on certificate forgery, false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji allegedly received ₦29,578,466.67 in salaries and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025 while serving as a minister. The commission alleged that the money constituted proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency also accused him of using his public office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same amount as salary and allowances.
The remaining four counts concern alleged forgery and the alleged making and use of false documents.
The ICPC specifically alleged that Nnaji knowingly submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps certificate, numbered A231309, during the documentation process for his appointment as a minister.
The commission further alleged that he presented a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry bearing Certificate No. 004501, despite allegedly knowing that it was false.
The prosecution also accused him of using both documents as genuine, contrary to relevant provisions of the Penal Code.
Following his arraignment, Nnaji’s lawyer informed the court that a bail application had been filed.
ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the case and had three witnesses prepared to testify. He, however, did not oppose the bail application and left the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The surety was required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years.
The court also directed the surety to provide proof of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the previous three months.
The relevant government authority was further ordered to verify the surety’s employment status.
As part of the earlier bail conditions, Justice Abdulmalik directed Nnaji to deposit his international passport and any other travel documents with the court.
The latest ruling temporarily releases the Uche Nnaji passport for the stated purpose of medical treatment, while his trial remains scheduled to continue on October 26.
