Olushola Omogbehin
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed the details of its case against former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji.
ICPC said the former minister is being investigated on the allegations of submitting a forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
After Nnaji allegedly failed to honour repeated invitations for questioning, ICPC said it turned to the Federal High Court which eventually paved the way for his arrest.
The Head of Media and Public Communications of ICPC, John Okor Odey, said Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after his arrival in the country.
ICPC also revealed that the operation was jointly carried out with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), which handed him over to investigators following the execution of a Federal High Court bench warrant.
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival. He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation,” the statement said.
Nnaji was first invited for questioning through a letter dated 15 May 2026, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16 but failed to appear for questioning.
“The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address. Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,” the statement added.
As the allegations against him have not been determined by any court, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
For the meantime, the former minister remains in ICPC custody in Abuja for further investigation.
