The Federal High Court in Abuja has released the international passport of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, after his lawyer asked the court to return the document so he could travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application on Monday, September 21, 2026, during proceedings in the criminal case brought against Nnaji by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Following the ruling, the judge fixed October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The development changes one of the bail conditions imposed on Nnaji when he was arraigned in July. At that time, the court directed him to surrender his international passport and other travel documents while granting him bail of ₦20 million with one surety in the same amount.
Nnaji has pleaded not guilty to all six counts filed against him. The allegations include certificate forgery, use of allegedly false documents, corruption and offences connected to money laundering.
Nnaji’s counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, moved a fresh application seeking the release of the passport. The application stated that the former minister needed the document to enable him to travel outside Nigeria for medical treatment.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted the request in a brief ruling and ordered the release of the international passport. The court did not terminate or suspend the criminal proceedings by granting the application. Instead, the case was adjourned to October 26 for further proceedings.
The ruling therefore changes Nnaji’s access to his travel document while leaving the substantive criminal case before the Federal High Court.
The court had originally imposed the passport requirement as part of Nnaji’s bail conditions in July after the ICPC arraigned him. The prosecution did not oppose the initial bail application.
When bail was granted in July, the court required:
- A ₦20 million bond.
- One surety in the same amount.
- The surety to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15.
- Proof of employment and recent salary records.
- Verification of the surety’s employment status.
- Surrender of Nnaji’s international passport and other travel documents.
The latest order specifically addresses the passport restriction, allowing Nnaji to retrieve the document for the stated medical purpose.
The passport ruling does not resolve the allegations against Nnaji.
The ICPC brought a six-count case alleging that the former minister presented false academic and National Youth Service Corps documents during the process connected with his appointment as a minister.
According to the charge, prosecutors allege that Nnaji knowingly presented a purported NYSC discharge certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate that were not genuine. The commission also accused him of using the documents as authentic.
Two other counts concern allegations involving money and the use of public office. The ICPC alleges that Nnaji received about ₦29.58 million in salaries and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025 and argues that the funds were connected to alleged unlawful acts. It also alleges that he used his office to confer a corrupt advantage on himself.
Nnaji has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The passport issue dates back to Nnaji’s July arraignment before Justice Abdulmalik.
After the six charges were read, Nnaji entered a not-guilty plea. His defence then sought bail, while ICPC counsel said the prosecution was prepared to begin its case and had witnesses available. The prosecution did not oppose bail.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted bail and ordered Nnaji to submit his travel documents to the court.
The case was later fixed for September 21 for the commencement of trial, making Monday’s hearing the first major procedural stage since the original bail conditions were imposed.
The release of the international passport does not amount to an acquittal, dismissal or finding on the merits of the forgery allegations.
The outstanding issues will still have to be determined through the criminal proceedings, including whether the prosecution can establish its allegations concerning the academic and NYSC documents and the financial counts.
The ICPC case centres on alleged actions dating from Nnaji’s period as a federal minister between August 2023 and October 2025. He resigned from the Federal Executive Council in October 2025 amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
The case has also attracted wider public interest because it involves a former federal minister and questions surrounding the authenticity of documents allegedly submitted during the ministerial appointment process.
With the international passport now released, the Federal High Court has scheduled the next stage of the case for October 26, 2026.
The prosecution and defence are expected to continue with the trial as the court considers the evidence and legal arguments in the six-count case.
For Nnaji, the immediate significance of Monday’s ruling is that he has regained possession of his international passport for the medical travel cited in his application. For the wider case, however, the criminal proceedings remain active and no final determination has been made on the allegations against him.
The next hearing on October 26 will determine the subsequent direction of the trial.
