Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged certificate forgery.

According to reports, Nnaji was apprehended on Tuesday shortly after disembarking from a chartered flight and is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning.

The anti-graft agency has been investigating the former minister since his resignation from office last year over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials.

The ICPC had informed the court that its ex parte application for Nnaji’s arrest followed his repeated failure to honour invitations for questioning regarding the allegations.

Investigators allege that Nnaji forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, which were submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening and confirmation in 2023.

The commission further alleged that the same documents were presented to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the State Security Service, and the Senate as part of the ministerial appointment process.

On June 13, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the ICPC permission to arrest Nnaji and investigate the allegations. The court also authorised the commission to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels.