A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a former minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Nnaji, following his arraignment on allegations of certificate forgery, obtaining salaries under false pretences, and money laundering.
The former minister was docked on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which accuses him of presenting forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials during his ministerial screening in 2023.
According to the prosecution, the charges stem from allegations that Nnaji submitted a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as an NYSC discharge certificate, both of which investigators claim were disowned by the respective institutions.
The anti-corruption agency further alleged that the former minister unlawfully received about ₦29.5 million in salaries, allowances, and other emoluments through false representations. He is also facing charges related to money laundering.
When the charges were read before Justice Abdulmalik, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following the plea, the prosecution informed the court that it was prepared to begin trial immediately and had three witnesses present and ready to testify.
However, counsel to the defendant, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), requested additional time to adequately prepare his client's defence. He also urged the court to consider a bail application filed on July 9, 2026. The prosecution raised no objection to the request.
In a ruling delivered shortly after, Justice Abdulmalik admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like amount.
The court stipulated that the surety must be a Federal Civil Service officer not below Grade Level 15 and resident in Abuja. The judge also ordered Nnaji to surrender both his official and international passports to the court pending the determination of the case.
The case follows months of investigation into the authenticity of the former minister’s academic and NYSC records. The ICPC maintains that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC denied issuing the certificates allegedly presented by the defendant.
Nnaji was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from Enugu.
His arrest came after a Federal High Court order issued on June 11, 2026, reportedly following his failure to honour several invitations by investigators for questioning.
The former minister resigned from office on October 7, 2025, stating that his decision was necessary to protect the integrity of public office and allow due process to take its course. He has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that he committed no wrongdoing and describing aspects of the case as politically motivated.
After hearing the submissions of both parties, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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