‘Certificate Forgery’ Saga: DSS takes Ex-minister Nnaji into Custody, Hands Him over to ICPC

Uche Nnaji, former minister of science and technology, has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

A source in the Department of State Services (DSS) told TheCable that Nnaji was arrested by the secret police on Wednesday.

The source disclosed that the ex-minister has been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In June, the ICPC secured a warrant of arrest against Nnaji.

Premium Times had reported that the federal high court in Abuja granted the order for Nnaji’s arrest following an ex parte motion filed by the ICPC in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.

Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to ICPC, told the court that the ex parte motion followed Nnaji’s refusal to honour invitations extended to him by the commission for investigation over certificate forgery allegations.

Akponimisingha prayed the court to issue an order allowing the commission to declare Nnaji wanted in any national newspaper, social media platforms, or other medium for “failing to honour the commission’s invitations for investigation activities”.

In October 2025, Nnaji resigned as minister following allegations of certificate forgery.

Prior to his resignation, Nnaji was under fire over claims that he forged the credentials he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the senate during his ministerial confirmation.

An investigation by Premium Times relayed that Nnaji did not complete his university education and that both the bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to the president, as well as to the offices of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), the DSS, and the senate, were forged.

In May, Nnaji emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu for the 2027 elections.