Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Ex-Minister, Uche Nnaji, over Alleged Certificate Forgery

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Uche Nnaji, Nigeria's former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following allegations of certificate forgery. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) obtained the order after Nnaji allegedly refused to honor their invitations for an investigation.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Nnaji to the ministerial position in August 2023. He later resigned amid accusations that he falsified academic and National Youth Service Corps credentials submitted during his screening process. The ICPC's ex parte motion, filed on June 4, included an affidavit from David Nelson, detailing Nnaji's alleged non-compliance with the commission's requests.

ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha urged the court to issue an order allowing the commission to declare Nnaji wanted across various media platforms for failing to cooperate with the investigation. The commission also sought a bench warrant for Nnaji's arrest, directing law enforcement agents and private citizens to apprehend him and hand him over to the ICPC.

The court granted all requests, stipulating that the order would remain in effect until Nnaji is arrested. Nnaji recently emerged as the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State for the upcoming 2027 elections, adding a political dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings.

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failing to honour the commission’s invitations for investigation activities