Alleged Certificate Forgery: ICPC arrests Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji at Enugu airport

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into allegations that he forged academic credentials during his appointment process.

Nnaji was reportedly arrested on Wednesday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.

Sources familiar with the development said security operatives intercepted the former minister at the airport before taking him into custody. He is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further interrogation.

The arrest marks a major development in the certificate forgery allegations that have trailed the former minister since he left office.

The ICPC has been investigating Nnaji over claims that he falsified his educational qualifications, including his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

The controversy gained national attention after investigations questioned the authenticity of documents allegedly submitted by the former minister to key government institutions during his screening and confirmation process.

According to earlier reports, the documents were submitted to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other security agencies as part of the official verification process.

The anti-corruption agency later accused Nnaji of repeatedly ignoring invitations issued to him for questioning over the allegations.

His alleged refusal to honour the invitations prompted the commission to seek legal authorisation to arrest him.

In June, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the ICPC permission to arrest the former minister as part of its investigation into the alleged certificate forgery.

The court also authorised the commission to declare him wanted through newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels if necessary.

According to the ICPC, the application became necessary after Nnaji repeatedly failed to cooperate with investigators despite several invitations.

The allegations stem from claims that the former minister presented documents indicating that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and successfully completed the mandatory NYSC programme.

However, investigations later raised doubts about the authenticity of both certificates.

The controversy intensified after Nnaji reportedly admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, did not issue him a degree certificate, a development that further heightened public scrutiny of the case.

Despite the allegations, the former minister has consistently maintained his innocence and previously dismissed reports surrounding the matter as a coordinated media campaign against him.

He also challenged the Federal High Court’s arrest order by filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja in a bid to halt its enforcement.

Wednesday’s arrest marks a significant turning point in the investigation as the ICPC moves to intensify its probe.

The commission had yet to issue an official statement on the arrest as of the time of filing this report.