Just in: Former Science minister arrested over alleged certificate forgery

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Wednesday morning arrested over allegations bordering on certificate forgery.

The former minister was reportedly cornered during an attempt to travel via a chartered flight.

Available information indicated that he was apprehended by security operatives in connection with a court-ordered investigation.

Nnaji is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.

The arrest follows an ongoing ICPC investigation into allegations that the former minister forged his academic certificates.

In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the anti-corruption agency leave to arrest Nnaji as part of its investigation into the alleged certificate forgery.

The court also authorised the commission to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels.

According to court filings, the ICPC sought the ex parte order after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended to him for questioning in connection with the investigation.

The commission had informed the court that repeated efforts to secure his appearance for “investigative activities” proved unsuccessful, prompting it to seek judicial approval for his arrest and public declaration as a wanted person.

The ICPC had yet to issue an official statement on the arrest as of the time of filing this report.

Likewise, there was no immediate reaction from Nnaji or his representatives regarding the allegations.