JUST IN: Former Science Minister Uche Nnaji arrested at Enugu airport

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested by security operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu over allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji was reportedly taken into custody on Wednesday while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja and is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation.

His arrest follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja in June authorising the ICPC to arrest him after the commission told the court that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations related to its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.

The court also granted the anti-graft agency permission to declare the former minister wanted through newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels if he could not be apprehended.

The allegations stem from claims that Nnaji forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, documents reportedly submitted during his ministerial screening and confirmation in 2023 and to other government agencies as part of his appointment process.

Nnaji resigned from the Federal Executive Council in October 2025, stating that his decision was to uphold due process and should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.

Following the court’s order, the former minister denied the existence of any arrest warrant and described media reports on the matter as a trial by the press. He later filed an appeal challenging the Federal High Court’s order authorising his arrest.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor Nnaji had issued an official statement on Wednesday’s arrest.