The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest of the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations bordering on certificate forgery.
The anti-graft agency said Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, 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, J. Okor OdeyHead, and shared on the Commission’s verified x handle, the commission said the former minister was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the airport and was subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
The commission disclosed that it had earlier invited Nnaji for investigative interviews through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOL.V/16, dated May 15, 2026.
According to the ICPC, the invitation was served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as through his email address, but he allegedly failed to honour the invitations, prompting the commission to seek legal action.
The commission said the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, granted an order in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026 on June 11, 2026, authorising the arrest of the former minister to facilitate investigations.
It said the investigation centres on allegations of forgery of academic credentials, specifically a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as the alleged submission of a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The ICPC said Nnaji is currently in its custody at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are continuing.
The commission assured the public that the matter would be pursued diligently and in accordance with the law.
The full statement reads:
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
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 Commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026. 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 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:
1. Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and
2. 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.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC