The embattled former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is to be arraigned on Monday, July 13, 2026 before a Federal High Court in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over certificate forgery
Penpushing reports that he would be dragged before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the anti-graft agency prosecuting him
The source involved in investigation disclosed that the former Minister’s planned arraignment followed the conclusion of the investigation into his certificate forgery scandal and filing of criminal charges against him
Penpushing further reports that the source added that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed six criminal charges against Nnaji over his certificate forgery scandal.
The filing of the charges came five days after the former Minister was arrested on July 1, 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from Enugu through a chartered flight.
Penpushing also reports that it would be recalled that Nnaji was exposed for forging his University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka degree and National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) certificates, which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.
The count one states that Nnaji “took possession” of N29.5 million (N29,578,466.67) through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances while serving as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, “when you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud.”
Penpushing reports that the anti-graft agency argued that, by this act, the former Minister committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The count two in the charge sheet accuses him of using his ministerial office to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself during the same period. “You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000’,.
Penpushing further reports that the agency under count three, alleges that Nnaji, “with intent to mislead the Nigerian Government, knowingly gave false information” by presenting a “false Certificate of National Service” (Certificate Number: A231309) to the government for his ministerial appointment.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) added that Nnaji committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Penpushing also reports that that count four alleges that, Nnaji in August 2023 knowingly gave “false information” by presenting a Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate (Certificate Number: 004501) to the government, knowing it to be false, thereby violating the same section of the Corrupt Practices Act.
The count five, alleges that, around May 1986, Nnaji knowingly produced a false document – the Certificate of National Service (No. A231309) – and used it as genuine, committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
Penpushing reports that count six alleges that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu (63), of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false document – a “University Degree Certificate of Microbiology/Biochemistry with Certificate Number: 004501”—purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985.
The former Minister in same vein, is accused of using the document as genuine, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
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