A legal hurdle has been cleared for former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, as the Federal High Court in Abuja releases his international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the request on Monday following an application by Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja.
The court, however, fixed October 26 for the continuation of the former minister’s trial.
Nnaji had surrendered his passport after securing bail in the ₦20 million corruption case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
He is facing six counts bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption. Nnaji has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denied the allegations against him.
The ICPC alleges that between August 2023 and October 2025, Nnaji collected about ₦29.57 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister, which the commission considers proceeds of alleged unlawful conduct.
The anti-graft agency also alleges that he used his position to obtain an improper benefit through the payments.
At the centre of the remaining counts are allegations that Nnaji presented and used forged National Youth Service Corps and University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificates in connection with his appointment as minister.
With the passport now temporarily out of the court’s custody, Nnaji is expected to travel for medical attention before returning to face the next stage of his trial on October 26.
