Isaac Samuel
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly arrested the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, over alleged certificate forgery.
Nnaji was apprehended shortly after arriving in Abuja from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
The former minister was taken into custody and handed over to ICPC operatives for interrogation in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations that he forged his academic credentials.
The ICPC is yet to issue an official statement on the arrest as of the time of filing this report.
The arrest follows an order issued in mid-June by the Federal High Court in Abuja, authorising the anti-corruption agency to arrest Nnaji over the alleged forgery.
The court also granted the commission leave to declare the former minister wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended to him by investigators.
According to the ICPC, its application before the court became necessary following Nnaji’s repeated refusal to appear before the commission for questioning over the allegations.
The forgery allegations stem from an investigative report published by an online newspaper in October 2025, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his nomination and confirmation as minister in 2023.
The report alleged that the documents were submitted to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Department of State Services as part of the ministerial screening process.
The former minister was also reported to have admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) did not issue him the degree certificate he presented, QQ pia development that further intensified the investigation.
Nnaji had previously dismissed reports of the court order, describing them as a media trial.
However, on June 18, he filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, challenging the Federal High Court’s order authorising his arrest.
