Shockwave: Ex-Minister Nnaji Faces Criminal Charges, Arraignment Looms
The ICPC has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister Uche Nnaji over certificate forgery and corruption, following a PREMIUM TIMES investigation. Nnaji faces accusations including money laundering and presenting forged academic and NYSC certificates for his ministerial appointment. His arrest precedes an expected arraignment, highlighting the consequences of the two-year probe into his credentials.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against Uche Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. These charges were formally submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, with the Federal Government of Nigeria listed as the complainant and Mr. Nnaji as the sole defendant. The suit, designated FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, primarily addresses a certificate forgery scandal involving the former minister, which was initially uncovered through an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES.
The filing of these charges comes five days after Mr. Nnaji's arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following his arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight. His arrest was the culmination of a two-year investigation, first published by PREMIUM TIMES in October of the previous year, which revealed that the then-minister had forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. These fraudulent documents were reportedly presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation process in 2023.
The six-count charge details several serious allegations. Count one accuses Mr. Nnaji of