The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport belonging to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to allow him travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Monday after considering an application filed by Nnaji’s lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN.
Nnaji is currently facing six charges of allaged certificate forgery, false information and corruption, filed by the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The 63-year-old former minister pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on July 13, 2026.
The charges relate to alleged offences said to have occurred between August 2023 and October 2025, when Nnaji served as a minister.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji allegedly received N29.57m in salaries and allowances through a bank account, which the commission described as proceeds of unlawful acts.
The anti-corruption agency also alleged that he used his position to obtain an improper benefit by receiving the said payments.
The remaining counts concern allegations that Nnaji forged and used National Youth Service Corps and University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificates.
The ICPC alleged that the former minister submitted a purported NYSC certificate and a degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry during the documentation process for his appointment as minister, knowing the documents to be false.
Nnaji had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N20m, with one surety in the same amount.
The court stipulated that the surety must be a Federal Government employee not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed residence for at least four years.
The surety was also required to provide proof of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the previous three months, while the relevant government authority was directed to verify the employment status.
As part of the initial bail conditions, the court ordered Nnaji to surrender his international passport and other travel documents.
However, ruling on the latest application, Justice Abdulmalik permitted him to retrieve the passport for the proposed medical trip abroad.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.
