Why ex-minister Nnaji was arrested — ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, was arrested after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations over an investigation into allegations of certificate forgery.

Confirming his arrest, the commission said Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with the assistance of operatives of the Department of State Services following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.

In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the ICPC said the former minister ignored repeated invitations despite being served through multiple channels.

He said, “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.”

According to the commission, the subsequent legal action led to a Federal High Court order authorising his arrest.

“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,” the statement said.

The commission 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 anti-corruption agency said Nnaji was apprehended upon his arrival at the Abuja airport before being handed over by the DSS.

“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,” it stated.

The ICPC said the former minister is currently in custody 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 added.