The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of Uche Nnaji, former minister of science, technology, and innovation.
Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the
Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
in Abuja.
The ex-minister was subsequently handed over to the ICPC.
Providing an update on the arrest, Okor Odey, ICPC’s
spokesperson, said in a statement that the commission sent invitation letters
to the former minister through multiple channels, including his residential
addresses in Abuja and Enugu.
Odey said despite being served through multiple channels,
Nnaji failed to honour the invitations.
The ICPC spokesperson said the federal high court in Abuja
had issued a bench warrant against Nnaji to enable the commission to
investigate allegations of certificate forgery.
“The invitation notices were duly served to his known
addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address,” the
statement reads.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed
to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating
further legal action.
“The legal action followed a court order granted by the
Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No:
FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026).
“The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to
arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering
on:
“Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a
degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN);
“False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge
Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in
2023.
“Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody
at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to
continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued
diligently in accordance with the law.”
In October 2025, Nnaji resigned as minister following
allegations of certificate forgery.
Before his resignation, Nnaji came under scrutiny over
claims that he forged the credentials he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and
the Senate during his ministerial confirmation process.
An investigation by Premium Times revealed that Nnaji did
not complete his university education and that both the bachelor’s degree and
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to the president,
as well as to the offices of the secretary to the government of the federation
(SGF), the DSS, and the senate, were forged.
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