The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery after he allegedly failed to respond to several invitations for questioning.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the commission said Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with the support of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the ICPC, the arrest followed the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court after the former minister allegedly ignored multiple invitations sent by the commission.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that it had formally invited Nnaji for investigative interviews through a letter dated May 15, 2026. The invitations were reportedly delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address, but he did not appear on the scheduled dates.
The commission explained that his failure to honour the invitations prompted it to seek a court order authorising his arrest.
It stated that the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the order on June 11, 2026, empowering the commission to arrest the former minister to facilitate its investigation.
According to the ICPC, the investigation focuses on allegations that Nnaji presented forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate allegedly linked to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The commission said Nnaji was apprehended immediately after arriving at the Abuja airport on July 1, 2026, before being handed over by DSS operatives to the ICPC.
Following his arrest, the former minister was taken into custody at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are continuing.
The ICPC assured the public that the case would be handled thoroughly and in accordance with the provisions of the law.
