FG to arraign ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over alleged certificate forgery

Nnaji set for plea over alleged forged credentials

The Federal Government, through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is set to arraign former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday over alleged forgery of academic credentials.

Nnaji is expected to take his plea before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on allegations that he forged his academic qualifications, including a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. He is also accused of presenting an alleged fake National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Discharge Certificate during his ministerial screening process in 2023.

The report states that Nnaji, who was reportedly compelled to withdraw from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet, is expected to enter his plea when the matter comes up before the court. No direct quote was provided in the source material on the specific allegations before the court.

Arrest and investigation background

It will be recalled that security operatives arrested the former minister at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1 upon his return to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The arrest was linked to the allegations surrounding his academic records and documents used in public office processes.

The ICPC had confirmed the arrest, saying it was to facilitate investigations into the allegations against him. The source material did not include a direct quotation from the commission, but identified the arrest as part of its investigative process.

The arraignment is expected to move the matter from investigation to formal court proceedings, with Nnaji scheduled to respond to the allegations before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Separate arraignment involving PFIPC director-general

Meanwhile, the Director-General of an alleged "non-existent" Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, is also scheduled to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday by the Police.

According to a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, Adeyemi and two other defendants will face an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences. The charge was filed on November 27, 2025, by police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki.

The source links the case to claims around the status of the PFIPC and alleged document-related offences, though it does not provide further details of the specific counts beyond forgery, impersonation and related offences.

Witnesses listed in Adeyemi case

Among those listed as prosecution witnesses are the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester.

Also expected to testify are civil servants in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, AGoF, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The witness list underscores the official nature of the prosecution and points to the range of individuals expected to feature in the court proceedings tied to the separate case.