Former Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, shortly after arriving from Enugu on a chartered flight.
Official airport sources confirmed the arrest, noting that Nnaji will be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation.
The arrest follows an ongoing ICPC investigation over claims that the former minister faked his academic certificates.
In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja gave the anti-corruption agency authorisation to arrest Nnaji as part of its investigation into the alleged certificate fabrication. The court also authorised the commission to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media outlets.
According to court records, the ICPC obtained the ex parte order after Nnaji allegedly refused to honour repeated invitations made to him for interrogation in connection with the probe.
The commission informed the court that repeated attempts to secure his appearance for “investigative activities” were futile, prompting it to seek judicial sanction for his arrest and public designation as a wanted person.
Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday upon arriving at Abuja International Airport and is anticipated to be transported to the ICPC for further investigation.
As of the time of posting this story, the ICPC has not issued an official comment regarding the arrest.
Similarly, there was no immediate response from Nnaji or his representatives to the charges.
