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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, was arrested after repeatedly failing to honour invitations over an investigation into alleged certificate forgery.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the commission said Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with the support of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the High Court.
According to the ICPC, the former minister had been invited for questioning through a letter dated May 15, 2026, which was delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as to his email address.
The commission said he failed to appear for scheduled investigative interviews despite being notified through multiple channels, prompting it to seek legal approval for his arrest.
“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 read.
It explained that the warrant was granted by the High Court in Abuja on June 11, 2026, authorising the agency to arrest Nnaji to facilitate the investigation.
“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 ICPC said its investigation is focused on allegations that Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate and a falsified National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The commission said Nnaji was apprehended upon his arrival at the Abuja airport before being handed over by DSS operatives.
It added that the former minister is currently in custody at its headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are continuing, assuring the public that the case would be pursued in line with the law.
“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.
