ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, following allegations of certificate forgery brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The order was granted on Thursday after the ICPC approached the court through an ex parte motion in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026. The anti-corruption agency sought judicial approval to compel the appearance of the former minister in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged discrepancies in his academic credentials.
According to court filings, the ICPC is investigating claims that the former minister may have presented questionable documents during or before his appointment into public office. The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and no formal conviction has been recorded at this stage.
The Federal High Court, after reviewing the motion, granted the request for an arrest warrant, allowing law enforcement agencies to take steps to ensure Nnaji’s appearance before investigators and the court. Details of the court’s specific directives were not immediately made public beyond the issuance of the warrant.
The ICPC has been actively pursuing cases related to alleged abuse of office, corruption, and falsification of documents involving public officials, as part of its broader mandate to enforce integrity in public service. The commission has not released further details regarding the timeline of the investigation or whether additional charges may be filed.
Legal observers note that an ex parte motion allows a court to make a decision without the presence of the opposing party, typically in urgent matters where immediate action is deemed necessary. However, the accused retains the right to respond once formally presented before the court.
Efforts to reach representatives of the former minister for comment were not immediately successful at the time of filing this report. It remains unclear whether Nnaji will voluntarily present himself to authorities or challenge the court’s order through legal channels.
The development has sparked renewed public attention on issues of accountability and verification of credentials among public office holders in Nigeria. Analysts say the case could further intensify scrutiny of appointment processes and background checks for high-ranking government officials.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations as the legal process unfolds, with further court proceedings anticipated once the former minister is apprehended or appears before the court.
