The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji permission to travel abroad for medical treatment while facing trial over alleged certificate forgery.
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Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the application on Monday and ordered the release of Nnaji’s international passport, which he had surrendered as part of his bail conditions.
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The court directed the former minister to return the passport before October 26, when his trial is scheduled to continue.
The application was filed by Nnaji’s legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, James Onoja.
Nnaji was arraigned on July 13 on a six-count charge brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was granted bail of N20 million with one surety in the same amount.
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The former minister, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 2023 until his resignation in October 2025, is accused of presenting allegedly false academic and National Youth Service Corps credentials during the process of his ministerial appointment.
The ICPC alleged that Nnaji submitted a university degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as an NYSC certificate during his documentation.
The commission also accused him of receiving N29.58 million in salaries and allowances during his time as a minister and alleged that he ought to have known that the money was connected to proceeds of corruption and fraud.
The allegation forms part of the charge brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, while other counts relate to allegedly providing false information under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Nnaji was arrested by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 1 after returning to the Federal Capital Territory.
The former minister has denied the allegations by pleading not guilty, and the case remains before the Federal High Court.
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