The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
The order was made on Thursday following an ex parte motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.
The ICPC had approached the court after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour invitations extended to him by the commission in connection with its investigation into alleged forgery of his University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate.
In the motion dated June 3 and filed on June 4, the ICPC, through its lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, asked the court for an order allowing the commission to declare Nnaji wanted in national newspapers, on social media platforms and through other public channels over his alleged failure to appear before investigators.
The anti-graft agency also sought a bench warrant directing ICPC operatives, other law enforcement agents and even private citizens to identify, arrest and hand Nnaji over to the commission for investigation.
In its ruling, the court granted the prayers of the ICPC and ordered that Nnaji may be declared wanted through national newspapers, social media and other media platforms.
The court also issued a bench warrant for his arrest, directing operatives of the ICPC and other enforcement agents to arrest him and produce him before the commission for the purpose of investigation.
The court further held that the order would remain in force until Nnaji is arrested.
Court documents showed that the former minister is being investigated for alleged forgery, abuse of office and conferment of unfair advantage while serving as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ICPC is expected to arraign him upon arrest over the alleged offences.
The development follows a long-running controversy over the academic and NYSC records submitted by Nnaji during his ministerial screening and confirmation in 2023.
Nnaji had claimed that he obtained a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, after allegedly graduating in 1985. He also submitted an NYSC discharge certificate as part of the credentials presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate for his ministerial appointment.
However, questions were later raised over the authenticity of the documents.
During the controversy, Nnaji filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, from releasing his academic records.
The Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, the university’s registrar, its former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofo Ujam, and the Senate of the university were also listed as defendants in the suit.
Nnaji later applied for an out-of-court settlement in the matter.
Before any injunction could be obtained, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN reportedly responded to a Freedom of Information request, stating that Nnaji did not obtain the degree certificate he claimed from the institution.
The university’s registrar also reportedly confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981, he did not graduate and was not issued a certificate by the institution.
The NYSC authorities were also said to have disowned the discharge certificate in his possession following a separate Freedom of Information request.
Nnaji resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public, but many Nigerians insisted that resignation was not enough and called for his prosecution.
Earlier this year, a legal practitioner, Liborous Oshoma, criticised the Federal Government for failing to prosecute Nnaji, saying persons involved in such allegations should be prosecuted and barred from holding public office where appropriate.
An investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, was also reported to have found that Nnaji allegedly forged both his degree and NYSC certificates.
Nnaji, who contested the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, was also reported to have moved to the Peoples Democratic Party.
In late May, he emerged as the governorship candidate of a PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general election.
There were also claims that Nnaji was seeking to become governor in order to enjoy constitutional immunity from prosecution if elected.
The latest court order now empowers the ICPC to declare him wanted and arrest him for investigation over the alleged certificate forgery and related offences.
The post “Forgery, Abuse Of Office” — Court Orders Arrest Of Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji After ICPC Moves To Declare Him Wanted appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
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