The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request on Monday after counsel to the former minister, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, moved an application seeking temporary release of the travel document.
In a brief ruling, the judge approved the application and adjourned the case until October 26 for continuation of proceedings.
Nnaji is facing a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption.
He pleaded not guilty to all the counts when he was arraigned on July 13.
The anti-graft agency alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as minister, Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 in salary and allowances through a bank account, which the commission described as proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC further alleged that the former minister used his position to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the said amount as salary and allowances, contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The remaining four counts centre on allegations that Nnaji forged and used academic and National Youth Service Corps certificates.
The commission specifically alleged that he knowingly presented a forged NYSC certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his appointment as minister.
The prosecution also accused him of submitting a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing number 004501, despite allegedly knowing that it was false.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji subsequently used the two documents as genuine, an allegation the prosecution said contravened relevant provisions of the Penal Code.
Following his arraignment, Nnaji’s counsel applied for bail, while ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial and had three witnesses available.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, leaving the matter to the discretion of the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the same amount.
The court stipulated that the surety must be a serving federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residential address for at least four years.
The surety was also required to provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the preceding three months.
The judge directed the relevant government authority to verify the surety’s employment status.
As part of the bail conditions, the court had earlier ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and all other travel documents in his possession with the court.
