A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, after he pleaded not guilty to six counts bordering on alleged money laundering, corruption, forgery and the use of false documents.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of a fixed place of abode for not less than four years through a tenancy agreement.
The surety, according to the court, must be a Federal Civil Servant within the court’s jurisdiction of not less than Grade Level 15, with evidence of salary payments for at least three months.
The surety is also required to submit a letter of offer of pensionable employment, a letter from the head of department, an affidavit of means, bail bond and recent passport photographs.
The court further directed Nnaji to deposit his valid Nigerian official and international passports with the court registry.
The matter was adjourned until Sept. 21 for commencement of trial.
Earlier, Nnaji pleaded not guilty to the charges after he was arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik by the ICPC.
Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the prosecution, told the court that the commission was ready for trial, with three witnesses available to testify.
However, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, counsel to Nnaji, informed the court that the defence was not ready to proceed, saying he needed time to study the charges and prepare his client.
The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application, noting that the decision was at the discretion of the court.
According to the ICPC, Nnaji allegedly took possession of N29.58 million paid into his Fidelity Bank account as salaries and allowances while serving as minister, funds the commission alleged he ought to have known were proceeds of unlawful acts, including corruption and fraud.
The commission said the alleged offence contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC also accused the former minister of using his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself, contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In addition, the commission alleged that Nnaji presented a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate during his ministerial appointment process and submitted a false Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Nnaji produced and used the documents as genuine, offences it said were punishable under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, about 300 members of the Global Gender Safety and Moral Development, a non-governmental organisation, were present at the court in support of the arraignment, calling for accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
The group’s convener, Shuaibu Abdulkadir, said public office holders must uphold honesty, accountability and respect for legal processes.
He urged relevant authorities, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the ICPC, to continue carrying out their constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour, stressing that justice must prevail.
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