Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over certificate Forgery

ICPC secures arrest warrant for ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over alleged certificate forgery, ahead of his Enugu 2027 guber run.

Former Innovation Minister Uche Nnaji faces ICPC arrest warrant over alleged certificate forgery in Abuja court

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has secured a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

A Federal High Court in Abuja granted the order on Thursday, following an ex parte motion filed by the anti-graft agency.

The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.

Why ICPC went to court

According to court filings exclusively obtained by Premium Times, the ICPC's ex parte motion is dated 3 June and was filed on 4 June, with an affidavit deposed by David Nelson.

ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court the move was in response to Nnaji's failure to honour invitations extended to him for "investigative activities" over certificate forgery.

The commission asked the court for permission to declare Nnaji wanted in any national newspaper, social media platforms or other medium.

It also sought a bench warrant directing operatives of the commission, other enforcement agents, including private citizens, to identify and arrest Nnaji and hand him over for investigation.

The court granted all the prayers, and ruled that the order would elapse only upon the arrest of Nnaji.

What Nnaji is being investigated for

Court documents show Nnaji is being investigated for alleged forgery, abuse of office, and conferment of unfair advantage while serving as a minister.

The case traces back to a Premium Times investigation published in October 2023, which reported that Nnaji forged his UNN degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

UNN authorities, responding to FOI requests, said Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but neither graduated nor was issued any certificate, while NYSC authorities disowned the discharge certificate in his possession.

Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after the investigation was published.

Political context

Nnaji, who unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Enugu governorship election under the APC, later moved to the Peoples Democratic Party.

In late May, he emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP faction ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ICPC says he will be arraigned upon arrest. Nnaji has not publicly responded to the latest warrant, and the allegations remain under investigation.