By Admin
Immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has reportedly been arrested by security operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.
According to reports, the former minister was taken into custody on Wednesday morning and is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for further investigation over allegations of certificate forgery that led to his resignation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's cabinet in October 2025.
The arrest follows a recent order by the Federal High Court in Abuja authorising the ICPC to arrest the former minister over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials during his ministerial appointment process.
The court had also granted the anti-corruption agency permission to declare Nnaji wanted through newspapers, social media platforms and other communication channels if necessary to facilitate the investigation.
According to court filings, the ICPC argued that the application became necessary after the former minister allegedly failed to honour several invitations issued to him in connection with ongoing investigations into the matter.
The allegations against Nnaji first surfaced in October 2025 when reports emerged claiming that both his bachelor's degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and his National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate were forged.
The documents were reportedly among those submitted to the Presidency and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023. Reports also alleged that the same credentials were presented to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Department of State Services as part of the vetting process preceding his appointment.
Nnaji resigned from office on October 8, 2025, maintaining at the time that his decision was intended to protect the integrity of the administration and uphold due process rather than serve as an admission of wrongdoing.
Following reports of the arrest warrant, the former minister publicly denied the existence of any valid warrant against him and described media reports surrounding the case as an attempt to subject him to a "media trial."
Court records later revealed that on June 18, 2026, Nnaji filed an appeal challenging the Federal High Court order authorising his arrest and seeking to overturn the decision.
Wednesday's arrest marks a significant development in the high-profile case, which is expected to proceed with further investigations by the ICPC.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nnaji nor the ICPC had issued an official statement regarding the arrest or the next steps in the investigation.