It is no longer news that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Monday, arraigned a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on six-count charge bothering on forgery, money laundering, and abuse of office.
In the first count, the ICPC alleged that Chief Nnaji received N29.58 million through his bank account as salary and allowances while serving as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, when he “reasonably ought to have known” that the money formed part of the proceeds of corruption and fraud. The ICPC’s said the act contravened the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The second count accused him of using his office as minister to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
In the third count, the Commission alleged that Nnaji knowingly presented a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, numbered A231309, to the federal government in support of his ministerial appointment, “with intent to mislead” the government.
The fourth count alleged that he also presented a purported UNN degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry, numbered 004501, to the government in August 2023, knowing it to be false.
