The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday night.
ThePreview Media earlier reported on Wednesday morning that Mr Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight.
The ICPC had been on the trail of the former minister since he resigned from office last year following investigations that revealed he forged his academic certificates.
In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji for investigation into the certificate forgery scandal. Beyond the arrest order, the court also granted the commission leave to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media.
The ICPC had told the court that its ex parte application followed Mr Nnaji’s repeated failure to honour invitations extended to him for “investigative activities” over the forgery allegations.
In the Wednesday statement, Mr Odey said the ICPC, assisted by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), arrested Mr Nnaji at the Abuja airport.
“He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
“Following the arrest, Mr Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue,” he said.
The ICPC spokesperson explained that Mr Nnaji’s arrest followed a federal high court ruling ordering his arrest.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026.
According to the commission, the invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address.
It said despite service through multiple channels, Mr Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action.
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 order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
The commission assured the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law.
