ICPC Reveals Why Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Was Arrested

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained why it arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji.

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The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.

According to the ICPC, Nnaji’s arrest followed the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.

The former minister was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja shortly after arriving in Nigeria.

He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and later handed over to the ICPC.

The commission said it had previously invited Nnaji for questioning through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated May 15, 2026. The invitation was served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address.

According to the statement, despite being notified through multiple channels, the former minister failed to honour the invitations for investigative interviews, prompting the commission to seek legal action.

“The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026).

“The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.

“Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” the statement read.