Former Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji was arrested Wednesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from Enugu on a chartered flight.
Authoritative airport sources confirmed the arrest and said Nnaji is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.
The arrest follows an ongoing ICPC probe into allegations that the former minister forged his academic certificates.
In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the anti-corruption agency leave to arrest Nnaji as part of that investigation. The court also authorised the commission to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels.
According to court filings, the ICPC sought the ex parte order after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning in connection with the inquiry. The commission told the court repeated efforts to secure his appearance for “investigative activities” proved unsuccessful, prompting it to seek judicial approval for his arrest and public declaration as a wanted person.
Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday upon his arrival at the Abuja airport and is expected to be transferred to the ICPC for further investigation. The ICPC had yet to issue an official statement as of filing this report, and there was no immediate reaction from Nnaji or his representatives.
