ICPC Searching for Ex-Minister Nnaji for Possible Arrest

ICPC Searching for Ex-Minister Nnaji for Possible Arrest
Former minister allegedly failed to honour multiple invitations
Commission yet to announce whether he will be declared wanted

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is reportedly searching for former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.

The anti-corruption agency is investigating claims that Nnaji forged his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the certificates were reportedly submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during the ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.

The investigation is said to have stemmed from a two-year probe published by Premium Times in October 2025, which alleged that the former minister falsified both credentials.

Sources within the ICPC had earlier indicated that Nnaji could face prosecution if the commission establishes that the certificates were forged.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the commission’s search for the former minister followed his alleged failure to honour several invitations issued by investigators.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, disclosed that the management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, had responded to enquiries from the ICPC regarding the ongoing investigation.

The source further claimed that the former minister had been repeatedly invited for questioning but failed to appear before investigators.

According to the insider, invitations were sent to Nnaji through various channels, including WhatsApp messages, emails and telephone calls, but he allegedly did not respond to the requests.

“The ICPC is looking for him everywhere to possibly arrest him, and if we can’t find him, we will most likely declare him wanted,” the source was quoted as saying.

Another source alleged that Nnaji’s refusal to honour the invitations may be linked to his reported political ambitions ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.

The source claimed that the former minister was seeking to remain unavailable while pursuing his governorship ambition.

Nnaji was reported to have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after unsuccessfully contesting the 2023 Enugu State governorship election on the party’s platform.

Reports also indicate that he recently emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said to be aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 election.