The immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025, according to Premium Times. Nnaji was taken into custody shortly after disembarking from a chartered flight and will be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.
Background of the Allegations
The ICPC had been trailing the former minister since he resigned from office last year, following investigations that revealed he had allegedly forged his academic certificates. The anti-corruption agency told a Federal High Court in Abuja that its ex parte application for an arrest warrant was necessitated by Nnaji’s repeated failure to honour invitations extended to him for “investigative activities” over the forgery allegations.
Details of the Alleged Forgery
It is alleged that Nnaji forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023. The forged documents were also reportedly presented to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the State Security Service, and the Senate.
Court Order and Arrest
On June 13, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest 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 outlets. The arrest at the airport is the culmination of these legal steps.
Impact and Next Steps
Nnaji now faces interrogation by the ICPC, which is expected to probe the authenticity of the certificates and the circumstances surrounding their submission. The case underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to hold public officials accountable for credential fraud, a issue that has gained prominence in recent years.
