The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery and the submission of a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
The anti-graft agency said Nnaji was taken into custody on Wednesday after he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with the support of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said the arrest was carried out in compliance with a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court.
According to the commission, Nnaji was intercepted shortly after arriving in Abuja and was handed over by the DSS for further investigation.
The ICPC disclosed that it had earlier invited the former minister for questioning through a letter dated May 15, 2026. The invitation, it said, was delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu and also sent to his email address.
Despite receiving the notices through multiple channels, the commission said Nnaji failed to honour the invitation, prompting it to seek legal approval for his arrest.
The agency said the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the request on June 11, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.
The investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and submitted a false NYSC discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The ICPC confirmed that the former minister is being held at its headquarters in Abuja while investigations continue.
The commission assured the public that the case would be handled in line with due process and that appropriate legal steps would follow the outcome of its investigation.
