Full List: ICPC Files Criminal Charges Against Ex-Minister, Uche Nnaji

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal case against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations linked to certificate forgery, fraud and corruption.

Naija News reports that the case was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, and the former minister is expected to appear before the court for arraignment in the coming days.

The charges were submitted on Monday by the commission through its lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, acting on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Court documents obtained by Premium Times, identified the case as FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, with Nnaji listed as the only defendant.

The criminal case follows allegations that the former minister submitted fake academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his screening and confirmation as a minister in 2023.

The matter became public after an investigation reported that the certificates presented for his appointment were not genuine.

The filing of the charges came days after Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival from Enugu on a chartered flight.

His arrest followed investigations into the authenticity of the documents he used during his appointment into the Federal Executive Council.

According to the charge sheet, the first count accused Nnaji of receiving over ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances through his Fidelity Bank account while serving as minister.

The ICPC alleged that he ought to have known the money was connected to unlawful acts because it was earned while occupying the office using false credentials.

The commission said the alleged action violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The second count accused the former minister of using his public office to obtain benefits for himself through unlawful means, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.

In the third count, the commission alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a false NYSC Certificate of National Service to the Federal Government during the process that led to his appointment as minister.

The ICPC said the act amounted to giving false information to mislead the government.

The fourth count alleged that he also submitted a degree certificate, purportedly issued for a Microbiology/Biochemistry programme, knowing it was not genuine.

The commission maintained that this also amounted to giving false information under the Corrupt Practices Act.

The fifth charge accused Nnaji of producing a false NYSC certificate around 1986 and using it as though it were authentic.

Prosecutors said the action violated provisions of the Penal Code relating to forged documents.

The sixth count alleged that he produced and used a fake University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate, said to have been issued in 1985.

The prosecution claimed he knowingly relied on the document despite its alleged false nature, an offence also covered under the Penal Code.