The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations that he submitted a forged university degree certificate and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to secure his appointment as a minister in 2023.
The anti-graft agency said Nnaji was apprehended on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, immediately after arriving in the country, following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, the ICPC said the former minister was arrested with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), which handed him over to the Commission for further investigation.
According to the Commission, the investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji presented a forged degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as a false NYSC discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
ICPC explained that it resorted to obtaining a court-issued arrest warrant after the former minister allegedly failed to honour repeated invitations for questioning.
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival.
“He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation,” the statement said.
The Commission disclosed that it initially invited Nnaji through a letter dated 15 May 2026, with reference number ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16.
It said the invitation was served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” the Commission stated.
Following his failure to honour the invitations, ICPC approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, which, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, granted an application on 11 June 2026, authorising his arrest to facilitate the investigation.
The anti-corruption agency said investigators are examining two principal allegations: the alleged forgery of an academic degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the alleged submission of a false NYSC discharge certificate as part of the documents used during his ministerial screening.
ICPC said Nnaji is currently in its custody in Abuja while investigations continue.
The Commission, however, emphasised that the allegations remain under investigation and that the former minister is presumed innocent unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction finds him guilty.