Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of certificate forgery.
The anti-corruption agency confirmed on Wednesday that Nnaji was arrested after operatives executed a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
In a statement signed by the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the Commission disclosed that the former minister was apprehended on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, shortly after arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the statement, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) assisted in the operation before handing him over to the ICPC.
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 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,” the statement read.
The Commission explained that before seeking the court order, it had invited Nnaji for questioning through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated May 15, 2026.
It said the invitation was delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, while another copy was sent to his email address.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” the Commission said. “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 ICPC further revealed that the court order, granted on June 11, 2026, authorised the arrest of the former minister to facilitate investigations into allegations that he forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate allegedly presented during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The Commission said Nnaji is currently being held at its headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are ongoing.
It assured Nigerians that the case would be handled thoroughly and in line with the provisions of the law.