The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has asked former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to refund about ₦29.5 million he allegedly received in salaries and allowances amid the certificate forgery case against him.
The development emerged on Monday during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where an ICPC investigator, Superintendent of Police Yakubu Ibrahim, testified about the commission’s investigation into the former minister’s academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
Nnaji, who resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid the certificate controversy, is facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, fraud, conferring corrupt advantage and providing false information over certificates he allegedly presented during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Ibrahim, the prosecution’s first witness, told the court that the investigation followed two petitions alleging certificate forgery against Nnaji.
He said the commission obtained documents from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the NYSC to verify the certificates attributed to the former minister.
According to the witness, documents obtained from the SGF’s office prompted investigators to seek Nnaji’s bank statement, which allegedly showed that he received about ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister.
The salary payments formed part of the issues raised during the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his appointment and the disputed credentials.
UNN, NYSC DISOWN CERTIFICATES
The ICPC investigator further told the court that UNN and the NYSC denied issuing the degree and discharge certificates attributed to Nnaji.
He said the university rejected the Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry allegedly submitted by the former minister, while the NYSC denied issuing the discharge certificate presented in his name.
Ibrahim added that UNN supplied the commission with Nnaji’s academic records, including a notice of withdrawal dated November 7, 1984, relating to General Microbiology.
He said the university explained the academic requirements for obtaining a degree and provided information about Nnaji’s examination record.
According to the witness, the records indicated that Nnaji failed at two stages and did not sit for an examination at a third stage for medical reasons. He also alleged that the former minister subsequently took a supplementary examination for which he had not registered.
The defence challenged aspects of the investigation, with Nnaji’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), questioning the investigator about the university records and the steps taken to establish the circumstances surrounding the disputed certificates.
Ibrahim admitted that he did not personally visit UNN and could not identify the faculty in which Nnaji had been enrolled. He, however, said members of the investigating team interviewed the university’s registrar.
The witness also acknowledged that investigators did not establish where the disputed certificates were allegedly forged.
COURT ADJOURNS CASE
Ibrahim told the court that investigators attempted to invite Nnaji for questioning but could not initially locate his address.
He said an invitation dated May 5, 2026, was subsequently sent to the former minister’s email address and WhatsApp number.
After Nnaji allegedly failed to honour the invitation, the investigator said the commission sought assistance from the Department of State Services (DSS), which subsequently arrested him on July 1, 2026.
He added that Nnaji made statements to investigators on July 1 and 2.
At the conclusion of cross-examination, the prosecution declined to re-examine the witness. Justice Abdulmalik discharged him and adjourned the proceedings for further hearing.
Nnaji is also seeking to contest the 2027 Enugu governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The allegations against him remain before the court.
