The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured a warrant for the arrest of Uche Nnaji, a former minister of innovation, science and technology, over allegations of certificate forgery.
Court Grants Arrest Order
A federal high court in Abuja issued the arrest order after the ICPC filed an ex parte motion in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026. President Bola Tinubu had appointed Nnaji as minister in August 2023, but he resigned following allegations that he forged academic and National Youth Service Corps credentials submitted during his ministerial screening.
ICPC Motion Details
The ICPC's ex parte motion, dated June 3 and filed on June 4, included an affidavit sworn by a David Nelson. ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha informed the court that the motion was prompted by Nnaji's repeated refusal to honour invitations from the commission as part of its investigation into the certificate forgery allegations.
Akponimisingha requested the court to issue an order allowing the commission to declare Nnaji wanted in any national newspaper, on social media platforms, or through other media for failing to honour the commission's invitations for investigation activities.
Bench Warrant Requested
The commission also sought a bench warrant directing its operatives, other law enforcement agents, or even private citizens to locate and arrest Nnaji and hand him over to the ICPC for questioning. Additionally, it appealed for any other orders the court might consider appropriate under the circumstances.
Court Ruling
The court granted all the requested orders. It also ruled that the warrant would remain in effect only until the former minister is arrested. Nnaji recently emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State for the 2027 elections.
