Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Minister Uche Nnaji Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has obtained an arrest warrant for Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the warrant after the ICPC filed an ex‑parte motion in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Nnaji to the ministerial post in August 2023.

Nnaji stepped down following accusations that he forged the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials presented during his ministerial screening and confirmation.

The ICPC’s ex‑parte motion, dated 3 June, was lodged on 4 June and included an affidavit sworn by David Nelson.

ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that the motion was prompted by Nnaji’s refusal to comply with the commission’s invitations to investigate the alleged forgery.

Akponimisingha requested that the court order the commission to declare Nnaji wanted in any national newspaper, on social media or other media for “failing to honour the commission’s invitations for investigation activities.”

The commission also asked the court to issue a bench warrant of arrest, directing ICPC operatives or any enforcement agent, including private citizens, to locate and arrest Nnaji and hand him over to the ICPC for investigation.

It further urged the court to grant any additional orders it deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

The court granted all requested orders.

The court added that the warrant will remain in effect until the former minister is arrested.

Nnaji has recently been announced as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate for Enugu in the 2027 elections.