The Federal High Court 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 made the order on Monday following the hearing of a motion filed by Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja.

In a brief ruling, the judge granted the application and ordered that the former minister’s passport be released. The court subsequently fixed October 26 for continuation of the trial.

Nnaji is facing a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption.

The former minister, who was arraigned on July 13, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

According to the ICPC, Nnaji allegedly received ₦29,578,466.67 in salary and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025 while serving as minister, which the commission described as proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In another count, the anti-graft agency alleged that Nnaji used his public office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the same amount as salary and allowances, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The remaining four counts concern alleged forgery and the making and use of false documents.

The ICPC specifically alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the documentation process for his appointment as minister.

The commission also alleged that he submitted a purported University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, bearing Certificate No. 004501, knowing it to be false.

It further accused him of making and using the alleged NYSC and UNN certificates as genuine despite allegedly knowing that they were forged, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Following his arraignment and plea, Nnaji’s counsel had applied for bail. Counsel to the ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that the prosecution was ready to commence trial and had three witnesses available to testify.

He, however, did not oppose the bail application and left the matter to the discretion of the court.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with one surety in like sum.

The court stipulated that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.

The surety was also required to provide evidence of employment, including a letter of appointment and salary slips for the preceding three months.

The court directed the appropriate government authority to verify the surety’s employment status.

As part of the bail conditions, Justice Abdulmalik had earlier ordered Nnaji to deposit his international passport and all other travel documents in his possession with the court.

With Monday’s ruling, the court has now released the passport to enable the former minister to travel for medical treatment, while the criminal trial remains pending.