ICPC Confirms Arrest of Ex-Minister Nnaji Over Certificate Forgery Allegations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations bordering on certificate forgery.

The anti-graft agency said the former minister was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while arriving in the Federal Capital Territory, following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.

In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the commission disclosed that the arrest was carried out with the support of the Department of State Services (DSS), after which Nnaji was handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.

According to the commission, the arrest followed the former minister’s alleged failure to honour several invitations extended to him during the course of the investigation.

The ICPC said it had, through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16 dated May 15, 2026, invited Nnaji to appear before its investigators.

It noted that the invitation was served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address, but he failed to honour the scheduled interviews despite being contacted through multiple channels.

The commission said the development prompted it to seek legal redress, resulting in an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

According to the statement, the court, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, granted the order on June 11, 2026, authorising the commission to arrest the former minister to facilitate investigations into allegations of forgery.

The ICPC said the investigation centres on claims that Nnaji forged a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and also submitted a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.

Following his arrest, the commission said the former minister had been taken into custody at its headquarters in Abuja.

“The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

The anti-corruption agency did not indicate when the former minister would be formally charged, but maintained that investigations into the allegations would continue.

It would be recalled that reports had earlier emerged that Nnaji was arrested at the Abuja airport and was to be handed over to the ICPC. However, there was no official confirmation from the anti-graft agency until Wednesday’s statement.