Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing certificate forgery scandal linked to his time in office.
Nnaji was reportedly arrested on Wednesday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that security operatives intercepted the former minister at the airport before taking him into custody. He is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further questioning.
His arrest marks a major development in the long-running controversy surrounding allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials during his appointment process.
The ICPC had been investigating Nnaji following serious allegations that he falsified his educational records, including his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The matter gained wider public attention after investigations raised questions over the authenticity of documents allegedly submitted by the former minister to key government institutions during his screening and confirmation process.
According to findings from earlier investigations, the documents were reportedly submitted to President **Bola Tinubu**, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and other security agencies as part of official verification procedures.
The anti-corruption agency had intensified efforts to bring Nnaji in for questioning after accusing him of repeatedly ignoring several invitations sent to him regarding the case.
His refusal to honour those invitations reportedly pushed the commission to seek legal backing for stronger action.
In June, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the ICPC permission to arrest the former minister as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged certificate forgery.
The court also approved an application allowing the commission to declare him wanted through newspapers, social media platforms, and other media channels if necessary.
The commission argued before the court that Nnaji had failed to cooperate with investigators despite repeated invitations for what it described as investigative activities.
The forgery allegations stem from reports suggesting that the former minister presented documents claiming he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and completed the mandatory NYSC programme.
However, investigations later cast doubt on the authenticity of both certificates.
The controversy deepened after Nnaji reportedly admitted that UNN did not issue him a degree certificate, a revelation that further strengthened public scrutiny around the case.
Despite the allegations, the former minister had maintained his innocence and previously dismissed reports surrounding the matter as a coordinated media attack.
He also challenged the court’s arrest order by filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja in an attempt to halt enforcement.
Wednesday’s arrest now signals a significant turning point in the case as investigators move to intensify questioning.
The ICPC is yet to issue an official statement on the arrest as of the time of filing this report.
