Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as he prepare to board a private jet to Abuja.
His arrest is in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
The DSS carried out the arrest at the request of the ICPC over allegations of certificate forgery. The former minister was subsequently handed over to the anti-graft agency for further investigation.
The arrest is believed to be linked to an order granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in mid-June authorising the ICPC to arrest Nnaji as part of its investigation into allegations that he forged academic certificates.
The court also authorised the commission to declare the former minister wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels after the agency alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning.
According to court filings, the ICPC sought the ex parte order after informing the court that several attempts to secure Nnaji’s appearance for what it described as “investigative activities” had proved unsuccessful.
The commission argued that repeated efforts to obtain his attendance failed, leaving it with no option but to seek judicial approval for his arrest and public declaration as a wanted person.
Security sources further disclosed that the ICPC had earlier invited Nnaji on several occasions following petitions concerning the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in addition to the allegations surrounding the authenticity of his academic credentials.
The sources said the anti-graft agency enlisted the assistance of the DSS after the former minister allegedly failed to honour the invitations.
Wednesday’s arrest marks the latest development in a case that has trailed Nnaji since his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet on October 7, 2025.
The former minister resigned after allegations emerged questioning the authenticity of his academic credentials. However, he consistently denied the claims, describing them as “a sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks” aimed at tarnishing his integrity and distracting the ministry from its mandate.
“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said in his resignation statement.
Appointed Minister of Science and Technology in August 2023, the Enugu-born politician said his career spanning more than five decades had been built on “hard work, honour and service to humanity.” He maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a principled decision to allow due process to take its course.
“My decision to step aside is a personal choice—not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nnaji, the DSS nor the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, had issued an official statement confirming the arrest or commenting on the development.
