By Akinwale Kasali
A former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been, finally, arrested after several months of uncertainty that trailed his alleged Certificate Forgery Scandal.
He was arrested Wednesday morning at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.
Nnaji was intercepted by security operatives at the airport and taken into custody.
He is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for further questioning.
Recall that Nnaji’s alleged Certificate forgery scandal has been a long-running controversy. He was alleged to have submitted forged academic credentials during his appointment process.
He has been under investigation following allegations that he falsified his educational records, including his University degree and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate.
This led to his forced resignation as Minister, as the matter gained wider public attention after investigations raised questions over the authenticity of documents submitted by the former minister to key government institutions during his screening and confirmation process.
Civil Society Groups, anti corruption Groups and opposition Parties had petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the certificate forgery Scandal rocking his administration, with
findings from earlier investigations disclosing that documents were reportedly submitted to 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 alleged refusal to honour those invitations reportedly pushed the commission to seek legal backing for stronger action.
Earlier in June 2026, 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 scandal deepened following news that Nnaji had 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.
His arrest now signals a significant turning point in the case as investigators move to intensify questioning.
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