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.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, and signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the commission said Nnaji was taken into custody after repeatedly failing to honour invitations issued during an ongoing investigation.
According to the ICPC, the former minister was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with the assistance of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), acting on a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
“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,” the statement said.
The commission explained that it subsequently obtained a court order authorising his arrest.
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“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 June 11, 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation,” it stated.
The ICPC said the investigation centres on allegations of “forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),” as well as “a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.”
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr Nnaji’s arrival.
“He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation,” the statement added.
The anti-corruption agency said Nnaji is currently being held at its headquarters in Abuja.
“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,” the statement said.