Alleged Forged Certificates: ICPC details case against ex-minister Nnaji

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detailed its case against former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, saying it is investigating allegations that he submitted a forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The investigation focuses on the academic qualifications and NYSC certificate that helped secure Nnaji’s appointment as a minister.

ICPC said it turned to the Federal High Court after the former minister allegedly failed to honour repeated invitations for questioning, paving the way for his arrest and the continuation of its investigation.

In a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, the Commission said Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving in the country.

According to ICPC, the operation was carried out with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), which handed him over to investigators following the execution of a Federal High Court bench warrant.

“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.

ICPC said it first invited the former minister for questioning through a letter dated 15 May 2026, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16.

“The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address.

“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” the statement added.

With the invitations unheeded, the Commission approached the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division, which granted its application in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026 on 11 June 2026, authorising Nnaji’s arrest to facilitate the investigation.

According to ICPC, investigators are examining two key allegations: “Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN);

“False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023,” Odey stated.

The Commission said Nnaji remains in custody at its headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are continuing.

It, however, maintained that the allegations against the former minister have not been determined by any court and that he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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