Former Minister Uche Nnaji was reportedly arrested at Abuja airport over an ICPC investigation into alleged certificate forgery. The anti-graft agency has yet to officially confirm the development.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in a development that has intensified public attention on the ongoing investigation into allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials during his ministerial appointment process.
According to Premium Times, which cited authoritative airport sources, Nnaji was apprehended shortly after arriving from Enugu aboard a chartered flight and is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation. As of the time of filing this report, however, the ICPC had not issued an official statement confirming the reported arrest.
The reported development follows a Federal High Court order said to have authorised the ICPC to arrest and investigate the former minister after the commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning. The court also reportedly granted permission for the anti-graft agency to declare him wanted through newspapers, social media and other communication channels.
The case originated from a two-year investigation published by Premium Times in October 2025, which alleged that Nnaji presented forged University of Nigeria degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation in 2023. The publication further alleged that the documents were submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Department of State Services. Nnaji has consistently denied wrongdoing and previously described reports of the court order as a “media trial.” He reportedly filed an appeal on June 18 seeking to overturn the arrest order.
With no official confirmation yet from the ICPC and no fresh response from Uche Nnaji ‘s legal team, the reported arrest is expected to remain under close public and legal scrutiny. GMT News Nigeria will continue to monitor the situation and provide verified updates as more official information becomes available.
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