Court orders ex-Minister Uche Nnaji's arrest for certificate forgery

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over alleged certificate forgery. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) obtained the arrest warrant on Thursday.

The court's order stems from a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, which revealed that Nnaji allegedly forged his university degree and National Youth Service certificates. He reportedly submitted these forged documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

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failing to honour the commission’s invitations for investigation activities.

The ICPC filed an ex parte motion on June 4, seeking the court's permission to declare Nnaji wanted. The commission stated that Nnaji failed to honor invitations for investigative activities related to the forgery allegations. The court granted the ICPC's request, authorizing them to declare Nnaji wanted through national newspapers and social media, and to arrest him.

The warrant of arrest, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, indicates Nnaji is being investigated for alleged forgery, abuse of office, and conferring unfair advantage while serving as a minister. The ICPC expects to arraign him upon his arrest. The court ruled that the arrest order remains in effect until Nnaji is apprehended.

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The court also gave an order issuing a bench/warrant of arrest, directing operatives of the ICPC or other enforcement agents including private citizens to identify and arrest Mr Nnaji and hand him over to the commission for the purpose of investigation.