Alleged Forged Certificates: ICPC Details Case Against Ex-Minister Nnaji

Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is pursuing a case against former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations of submitting forged documents. The investigation centers on a purported forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a falsified National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, both allegedly used during his ministerial screening in 2023.

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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 ICPC detailed its investigation, stating that Nnaji failed to respond to repeated invitations for questioning. This led the commission to seek a Federal High Court warrant for his arrest, which was executed on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival in the country. The operation was conducted with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), which handed Nnaji over to ICPC investigators.

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

According to a statement from ICPC's Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, the former minister was first invited for questioning on May 15, 2026. Despite the invitations being served through multiple channels, including his known addresses and electronic mail, Nnaji did not appear for investigative interviews. This non-compliance necessitated further legal action, culminating in the court-granted arrest warrant on June 11, 2026.

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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.

The ICPC is examining two primary allegations: the forgery of academic credentials, specifically a UNN degree, and the submission of a false NYSC certificate. Nnaji is currently in custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja as the investigation continues. The commission emphasized that the allegations against the former minister have not yet been determined by any court, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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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.