The Enugu State governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for certificate forgery and misappropriation of funds.
Nnaji, who had to resign as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology on 8 October 2025 following the publication of PREMIUM TIMES‘ investigative report, was arraigned before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on six charges.
Counts three, four, five and six specifically relate to the alleged certificate forgery, while the first two counts relate to the alleged misappropriation of funds while in office.
The 63-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Nnaji arrived at the court on Monday morning ahead of the proceedings scheduled to commence at about 9 am.
He entered the courtroom dressed in a white outfit and a red cap. He raised his right hand to acknowledge supporters and other attendees as he walked in.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Sunday that the ICPC concluded its investigation into the allegations against Nnaji and filed criminal charges against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges followed months of investigation into allegations that the former minister forged academic credentials and made false declarations.
The case stems from a petition challenging the authenticity of certificates the former minister allegedly submitted during his nomination and screening for ministerial appointment.
In June, the ICPC obtained a 14-day remand order to detain Mr Nnaji after informing the court that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations to be questioned despite several notices.
He also appealed the court order authorising his arrest, arguing that the decision should be set aside.
The anti-corruption agency subsequently filed criminal charges against him after concluding its investigation.
A PREMIUM TIMES investigation published in October last year exposed Nnaji’s forgery of the certificates he used to secure his ministerial appointment in 2023.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
