ICPC Explains Reasons For Detaining Ex-Minister Nnaji Over Certificate Forgery
Former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji , was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following repeated failure to honor invitations regarding an alleged certificate forgery case . The arrest was executed by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Nnaji was apprehended while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for investigation. The anti-graft commission pursued the detention after the former minister disregarded multiple summons.
The anti-graft agency obtained a formal arrest warrant from the Federal High Court to apprehend the former minister. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare , this legal action became necessary after the suspect repeatedly ignored multiple letters of invitation sent by the commission .
At the center of the investigation are allegations that Nnaji forged two critical credentials presented during his 2023 ministerial screening. The commission is scrutinizing a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), alongside a fraudulent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
To facilitate the inquiry, the ICPC had initially issued an invitation letter dated May 15, 2026. The dispatch was delivered directly to the politician's residential addresses in Abuja and Enugu, and a digital copy was sent to his personal email.
It said his continued failure to appear before investigators prompted it to seek a court order.
The commission disclosed that the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the arrest warrant on June 11, 2026, to enable investigations into the allegations.
Following his arrest, Nnaji was taken to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are ongoing.
The commission assured the public that the case would be handled in accordance with the law.