By Gloria Drealomalicha
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja over allegations that he forged his academic certificates.
The former minister was apprehended on Wednesday shortly after arriving from Enugu aboard a chartered flight, according to authoritative airport sources familiar with the operation.
His arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has been probing allegations surrounding the authenticity of his academic credentials.
Sources said Nnaji is expected to be handed over to the anti-corruption agency for questioning as investigators continue their inquiries into the matter.
The arrest comes just weeks after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the ICPC permission to arrest the former minister and declare him wanted. The court also authorised the commission to publicise his wanted status through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels.
Court documents showed that the ICPC sought the ex parte order after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning.
According to the commission, repeated attempts to secure his appearance for investigative purposes proved unsuccessful, prompting it to seek judicial approval to arrest him and declare him wanted.
Following his arrival at the Abuja airport on Wednesday, security operatives moved in and took him into custody. He is expected to be transferred to the ICPC headquarters, where he will undergo further interrogation as investigations continue.
The ICPC has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest, while the allegations against the former minister remain under investigation.
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