DSS Arrests Former Minister Uche Nnaji, Hands Him Over to ICPC Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

DSS Arrests Former Minister Uche Nnaji, Hands Him Over to ICPC Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
ABUJA, Nigeria – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery and transferred him to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation.
According to security sources, Nnaji was apprehended on Wednesday while travelling on a chartered flight. Reports indicated that the arrest was carried out at the request of the ICPC, which is investigating petitions alleging certificate forgery and other issues related to his tenure in office.
The development follows an earlier order of the Federal High Court authorising the ICPC to arrest and investigate the former minister after the commission informed the court that he had repeatedly failed to honour its invitations regarding the allegations.
Investigators are examining claims that Nnaji presented forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials during his ministerial screening in 2023. The allegations have remained the subject of legal and public scrutiny, although Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Security sources disclosed that after taking him into custody, DSS operatives handed the former minister over to the ICPC to continue its investigation into the allegations.
Nnaji resigned as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in October 2025 amid the controversy surrounding the certificate forgery allegations. Before serving in the Federal Executive Council, he contested the Enugu State governorship race under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of the arrest. Similarly, no fresh reaction had been received from Nnaji or his legal representatives regarding the latest development.

