The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
In a statement, the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Demola Bakare, said the former minister was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) immediately after arriving in the country and was subsequently taken into the commission’s custody for further investigation.
The anti-graft agency said the arrest followed Nnaji’s alleged failure to honour several invitations sent to him through his Abuja and Enugu addresses as well as his registered email.
According to the commission, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the arrest warrant on June 11, 2026, to enable investigators probe allegations that Nnaji forged a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and submitted a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The ICPC said investigations into the allegations would continue in line with due process and assured the public that the matter would be handled in accordance with the law.
Nnaji resigned as minister in October 2025 after the allegations became public but maintained that his decision was not an admission of guilt.
He insisted he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and described the accusations as politically motivated, expressing confidence that the judicial process would eventually clear his name.
