The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, is in its custody over allegations of forging academic credentials and submitting a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said Nnaji was arrested following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations from the commission.
According to the commission, Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory. The arrest was carried out with the assistance of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who subsequently handed him over to the anti-graft agency.
The ICPC said it had earlier invited the former minister through a letter dated May 15, 2026, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16. The invitations were reportedly served at his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu and also sent to his email address.
However, the commission said Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews, prompting it to approach the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, granted an order on June 11, 2026, authorising his arrest.
The ICPC said the investigation centres on allegations of forgery involving a degree certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a false NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial confirmation process.
“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 said.
Security sources had earlier disclosed that Nnaji was initially intercepted by DSS operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu as he prepared to board a private jet to Abuja before being handed over to the ICPC.
The sources said the arrest followed petitions against the former minister, including allegations relating to certificate forgery and the management of the ministry during his tenure.
Nnaji resigned from office on October 7, 2025, amid controversy surrounding his academic and NYSC credentials. At the time, he maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a decision to allow due process to take its course.
He described the allegations as politically motivated and subsequently filed a suit before the Federal High Court in November 2025 seeking an order compelling the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, to release his academic transcript. He argued that the institution’s refusal to release the document had unnecessarily prolonged the controversy despite the existence of his student records.
The controversy took a fresh turn after Nnaji emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election.
