Court Allows Ex-Minister Nnaji To Travel Abroad For Medical Treatment

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, permission to travel outside Nigeria for medical treatment and ordered the release of his international passport.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application on Monday after counsel from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja, moved the request on behalf of the former minister. The court subsequently fixed October 26, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

According to reports, Nnaji had previously been required to deposit his international passport with the court as part of his bail conditions after he was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The former minister was arraigned on July 13, 2026, on a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false information and corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/391/2026, the ICPC alleged that Nnaji received ₦29,578,466.67 in salaries and allowances between August 2023 and October 2025 while serving as a minister.

The commission described the money as proceeds of alleged unlawful acts and accused him of contravening provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-corruption agency also alleged that Nnaji used his position to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving the salaries and allowances.

The remaining counts relate to allegations of certificate forgery and the use of purportedly false documents. The ICPC alleged that Nnaji presented a National Youth Service Corps certificate and a University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate which it described as forged or false.

Nnaji has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following Monday’s application, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The court then adjourned the matter until October 26, 2026, for further proceedings.