The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport belonging to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request on Tuesday after a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja, was presented before the court.
In a brief ruling, the judge ordered the release of the passport and adjourned the case until October 26 for continuation of trial.
Nnaji is facing a six-count charge brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over allegations bordering on certificate forgery, false information and corruption.
The former minister, who was arraigned on July 13, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The ICPC alleged that between August 2023 and October 2025, while serving as a minister, Nnaji received ₦29.58 million in salary and allowances through a bank account.
The commission described the money as proceeds of unlawful acts and alleged that its receipt violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another count, the anti-graft agency accused Nnaji of using his official position to obtain a corrupt advantage by receiving the same salary and allowances, contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The remaining four counts concern alleged forgery and the alleged presentation and use of false documents.
According to the prosecution, Nnaji knowingly submitted a purported National Youth Service Corps certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his appointment as minister.
The ICPC also alleged that he presented a University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, despite allegedly knowing it to be false.
The agency further accused him of presenting both documents as genuine, contrary to relevant provisions of the Penal Code.
Following his arraignment, Nnaji’s lawyer applied for bail. The prosecution, represented by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that it was ready to proceed with the case and had three witnesses available, but did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The court stipulated that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years.
The surety was also required to provide employment documents, including a letter of appointment and salary slips covering the preceding three months.
The court directed the relevant government authority to verify the surety’s employment status.
As part of the earlier bail conditions, Justice Abdulmalik had ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and any other travel documents to the court.
The latest ruling releases the passport for the purpose of his proposed medical trip, while the criminal proceedings remain ongoing.
