Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has released the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, clearing the way for him to travel abroad for medical treatment while his alleged forgery and corruption trial continues.
The judge granted the application on Monday after Nnaji’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja, asked the court to return the travel document to his client for the proposed medical trip.
In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik approved the request and fixed October 26 for the continuation of the trial.
The passport had been deposited with the court as part of Nnaji’s bail conditions after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arraigned him on a six-count charge on July 13.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.
The case centres on claims by the ICPC that Nnaji presented forged academic and National Youth Service Corps documents during the process that preceded his appointment as a minister.
The commission alleged that Nnaji knowingly submitted a purported NYSC certificate bearing number A231309 to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
It also accused him of presenting a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, numbered 004501, which the prosecution said was false.
Four of the six counts concern alleged certificate forgery and the purported use of the documents as genuine. The allegations are brought under Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
The two other counts relate to alleged corruption and the receipt of public funds.
The ICPC claimed that Nnaji received ₦29,578,466.67 in salary and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025, when he served as minister. The commission characterised the money as proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
It further alleged that he used his ministerial position to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same funds, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Nnaji has denied the allegations by pleading not guilty, leaving the prosecution to establish its case through evidence at trial.
At an earlier stage of the proceedings, his counsel applied for bail. ICPC lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed and had three witnesses prepared to testify. He did not oppose the bail request, leaving the matter to the judge’s discretion.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The court specified that the surety must be a federal civil servant of at least Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residence for no fewer than four years.
The surety was also required to provide employment records, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the preceding three months. The judge directed the appropriate government authority to verify the employment status.
The court additionally ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and any other travel documents in his possession, a condition that has now been varied to facilitate the former minister’s medical trip.
His passport release does not terminate the criminal proceedings. The October 26 date fixed by the court will determine the next stage of the prosecution’s case.
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