The charges center on a weekend during the Munich Oktoberfest in September 2008. Prosecutors accuse Mr. Wulff, who was governor at the time, of allowing a friend and filmmaker, David Groenewold, to pick up the tab for two dinners, a night at a luxury hotel and a baby sitter for his young son. In exchange for the favors, which amounted to about 750 euros, or about $1,000, Mr. Wulff is said to have lobbied the head of the electronics and engineering company Siemens to back a project for which Mr. Groenewold was seeking financing, the German public network ARD reported.

Prosecutors had originally sought to press a more serious charge of corruption against the former president, but the court said there was not enough evidence to support it.

Mr. Wulff, 54, has repeatedly denied the accusations. This year, he turned down an opportunity to pay a fine that would have closed the case, insisting that he welcomed the opportunity to clear his name in court. He made no immediate comment on Tuesday about the court’s announcement.