ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested by authorities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja over an ongoing investigation into allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji was apprehended on Wednesday shortly after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory from Enugu aboard a chartered flight, according to authoritative airport sources.
The sources disclosed that the former minister is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation as investigations continue.
His arrest is linked to an ongoing ICPC probe into allegations that he forged his academic certificates.
The development follows a ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja in mid-June, which granted the anti-corruption agency permission to arrest Nnaji as part of its investigation into the alleged certificate forgery.
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The court also authorised the ICPC to declare the former minister wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels.
According to court documents, the commission sought the ex parte order after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended to him for questioning over the allegations.
The ICPC informed the court that repeated efforts to secure his appearance for what it described as “investigative activities” were unsuccessful, leaving the agency with no option but to seek judicial approval for his arrest and public declaration as a wanted person.
Following his arrival at the Abuja airport on Wednesday, security operatives arrested the former minister. He is expected to be transferred to the ICPC for further investigation.
As of the time this report was filed, the ICPC had yet to issue an official statement confirming the arrest.
Similarly, neither Nnaji nor his representatives had publicly reacted to the allegations or his arrest.