Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested over an ongoing investigation into allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials during his appointment process.
Nnaji was reportedly apprehended on Wednesday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.
Sources familiar with the matter said security operatives intercepted the former minister at the airport before taking him into custody. He is expected to be transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further questioning.
The arrest represents a significant development in the certificate forgery allegations that have followed the former minister since leaving office.
The ICPC has been probing claims that Nnaji falsified his academic qualifications, including his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The allegations drew national attention after questions were raised over the authenticity of documents reportedly submitted by the former minister to key government institutions during his screening and confirmation.
According to previous reports, the documents were presented 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 had earlier accused Nnaji of repeatedly failing to honour invitations issued to him for questioning over the allegations.
His alleged refusal to appear before investigators led the commission to obtain legal approval for his arrest.
In June, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the ICPC authority 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 are based on claims that the former minister submitted documents indicating he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and completed the mandatory NYSC scheme.
However, investigators later questioned the authenticity of both certificates.
The controversy deepened after Nnaji reportedly admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, did not issue him a degree certificate, further intensifying public scrutiny of the case.
Despite the allegations, the former minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously described reports on the matter as a coordinated media campaign against him.
He also challenged the Federal High Court’s arrest order by filing an appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja in an effort to stop its enforcement.
Wednesday’s arrest marks a new phase in the investigation as the ICPC intensifies its probe.
The commission had not issued an official statement on the arrest as of the time this report was filed.
