ICPC arrests former Minister of Science, Nnaji, over alleged certificate forgery

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in collaboration with their Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji,

The former minister, who served in the administration of late President Muhammadu Bihari, was arrested on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following a bench warrant issued by the Abuja Division of Federal High Court.

ICPC’s Head, Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, informed that upon Nnaji’s arrest, he was subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.

According to Odey, the commission had earlier extended formal invitations to Nnaji through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16,   on May 15

He informed that the invitation notices were duly served on the former minister’s known addresses in both Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address.

However, despite service through multiple channels, Odey stated that 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 June 11, 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); and

“False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023,” the ICPC spokesperson stated.

According to Odey, upon his arrest, the former minister had been taken into custody at the ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja, where investigations were expected to continue.

“The commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” Odey stated.