The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request on Monday following an application filed on Nnaji’s behalf by the chambers of Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

After hearing the application, the judge ordered that the former minister’s passport be released to him for the proposed medical trip.

Nnaji is standing trial before the court on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged certificate forgery, provision of false information and corrupt practices.

The ICPC arraigned the 63-year-old former minister on July 13, 2026. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, the commission alleged that Nnaji received N29,578,466.67 in salaries and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025 while serving as minister.

The anti-graft agency described the funds as proceeds of alleged unlawful acts, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The commission also alleged that Nnaji used his public office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same amount as salaries and allowances, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The remaining counts concern allegations of certificate forgery and the making and use of false documents.

The ICPC alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a purportedly forged National Youth Service Corps certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his ministerial appointment.

It further alleged that he submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing certificate number 004501, despite allegedly knowing that it was false.

The prosecution accused the former minister of making and using the NYSC and UNN certificates as genuine despite allegedly knowing that they were forged, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Nnaji has denied the allegations and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

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