Department of State Services( DSS) on Wednesday arrested former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Following the arrest, security sources have disclosed that Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while attempting to board a private jet bound for Abuja.
According to sources, the DSS carried out the arrest after a request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which is investigating the former minister over some allegations.
After his arrest, the DSS handed over the former minister to the ICPC for further investigation.
A source said, “The DSS acted on the request of the ICPC. He was arrested at the Enugu airport while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja and has since been handed over to the commission.”
The sources also disclosed that the former minister had been invited multiple times by the anti-graft agency in relation to petitions alleging anomalies in the Ministry of Science and Technology’s management during his term.
Further verifying the development, another source said, “They had extended several invitations to him following petitions relating to the management of the ministry. When he failed to honour the invitations, the ICPC sought the assistance of the DSS to effect his arrest.”
Ex-Minister, Uche Nnaji Under Intense Scrutiny Over Certificate Forgery
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) earlier opened an investigation into the certificate forgery scandal of a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
Mr. Uche Nnaji allegedly falsified his degree and NYSC documents, which he presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023, according to a laborious two-year investigation that was reported in October of 2025.
However, just three days into the investigation, the lawmaker resigned as minister just three days following the investigation.
Sources familiar with the information revealed that the ICPC wrote to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, demanding the documents Uche Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment.
Read Also: Certificate forgery allegation: I didn’t resign because of guilt – Uche Nnaji
Backstory…
The allegations first gained widespread attention following investigative reports, prompting the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence an investigation.
In June 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the commission’s request for a warrant to arrest Nnaji after it alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning.
Although Nnaji has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated and maintaining that his academic credentials are genuine
Read Also: Certificate Forgery Now a Thing In Nigerian Politics As FG Panel Nails Ex-minister
