Ex-minister Nnaji arrested for ignoring invitations over certificate forgery probe — ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, saying he was taken into custody after repeatedly failing to honour invitations over an ongoing investigation into alleged certificate forgery.
The commission said Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport with the assistance of the Department of State Services while executing a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the ICPC said the former minister ignored several invitations despite being served through multiple channels.
“The commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated May 15, 2026. The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address. Despite service through multiple channels, Mr Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” he said.
The anti-graft agency said the Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently granted an order on June 11, 2026, authorising Nnaji’s arrest to facilitate investigations into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials.
According to the commission, the investigation centres on allegations that the former minister submitted a forged degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria and a false National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
The ICPC said Nnaji was apprehended upon his arrival at the Abuja airport, handed over by the DSS and taken into custody at the commission’s headquarters, where investigations are continuing.
The commission assured the public that the matter would be pursued diligently and in accordance with the law.
