The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
The Commission announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.
According to the statement, Nnaji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport immediately after arriving in Abuja. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), after which he was handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that it had previously invited the former minister to appear before investigators through a formal letter dated May 15, 2026, which was served at his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address.
Despite receiving the invitations through multiple channels, the Commission said Nnaji failed to honour the scheduled investigative interviews, prompting it to seek judicial intervention.
According to the ICPC, the Federal High Court granted its application in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026 on June 11, 2026, authorising the Commission to arrest the former minister to facilitate investigations into allegations of forgery.
The Commission said the investigation centres on the alleged forgery of a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and the alleged submission of a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Following his arrest, the former minister has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are continuing.
The Commission assured Nigerians that the matter would be pursued diligently and in accordance with the law.
