The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained why the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, was arrested, saying the action followed a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court over allegations of forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
The anti-corruption agency said Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving in Nigeria on a chartered flight from Enugu.
According to the commission, the arrest was carried out with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS), after which the former minister was handed over to ICPC officials for further investigation.
The commission made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, following widespread public interest in the circumstances surrounding the former minister’s arrest.
ICPC said Nnaji’s arrest was not arbitrary but was based on a valid court order after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended to him by investigators.
According to the statement, the commission had written to the former minister through a formal invitation dated May 15, 2026, requesting his appearance for investigative interviews.
The invitation, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, was reportedly delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu and also sent through his electronic mail.
The commission said despite receiving the invitations through multiple channels, Nnaji failed to appear before investigators on the scheduled dates.
It explained that his failure to respond left the agency with no option but to seek legal approval to compel his appearance.
According to the ICPC, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the application and issued a bench warrant authorising the arrest of the former minister.
The order was granted on June 11, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.
The commission said the court specifically directed it to arrest Nnaji to enable investigators question him over allegations relating to the authenticity of documents he submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
Among the allegations being investigated are claims that the former minister presented a forged degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The ICPC also said it is investigating allegations that Nnaji submitted a false NYSC discharge certificate during the screening that preceded his appointment as a minister.
Academic certificates and the NYSC discharge certificate are among the mandatory documents required for many senior public offices in Nigeria, including ministerial appointments.
The commission said verifying the authenticity of such documents is an important part of ensuring integrity in public service.
It stated that following his arrest, the former minister had been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigators would continue questioning him.
“The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
Although the ICPC disclosed the allegations against the former minister, it did not announce any formal criminal charges against him as of Wednesday evening.
Under Nigerian law, allegations remain subject to investigation and any suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Nnaji served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology under President Bola Tinubu’s administration before leaving office. During his tenure, the ministry was responsible for driving research, technological development, innovation policies and the promotion of science-based solutions for national development.
His arrest has attracted significant public attention because it involves allegations concerning the qualifications presented for one of the country’s highest public offices.
Over the years, several public officials in Nigeria have faced scrutiny over claims relating to academic qualifications, age declarations and NYSC certificates.
The NYSC certificate has become a particularly sensitive issue in public appointments because participation in the National Youth Service Corps is generally compulsory for Nigerian graduates below the age of 30, while exemption certificates are issued in specific circumstances.
Questions surrounding forged certificates have also featured prominently in several high-profile political and legal disputes in recent years, with anti-corruption agencies maintaining that the submission of false documents to secure public office amounts to a serious criminal offence.
Legal experts say agencies such as the ICPC are empowered to investigate allegations involving forgery, corruption and abuse of office, particularly where the alleged offences relate to public service.
The ICPC, established under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000, is one of Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agencies. It investigates and prosecutes cases involving corruption, abuse of office, bribery and other related offences within the public sector.
Unlike the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which focuses largely on financial and economic crimes, the ICPC handles a broad range of corruption-related offences involving public institutions and officials.
The commission has repeatedly stated that no individual, regardless of status or previous office held, is above the law.
Wednesday’s arrest signals that the investigation into the allegations against the former minister has entered a new phase, following weeks of unsuccessful efforts by investigators to secure his appearance voluntarily.
Whether the investigation will eventually lead to criminal charges will depend on the outcome of the ongoing probe and the evidence gathered by investigators.
For now, the ICPC says Nnaji remains in its custody while investigations continue, insisting that the process will be conducted in line with the law and with respect for due process.