A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, for allegedly forging his university and NYSC certificates.

The court granted the warrant on Thursday after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed an ex parte motion. The motion followed a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, published in October last year, which revealed that Nnaji submitted fake documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The ICPC told the court that Nnaji had ignored multiple invitations for questioning. The commission asked for permission to declare him wanted and to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Justice (name not specified in sources) granted both requests. The court ruled that the warrant stays active until Nnaji is arrested. The ICPC can now declare him wanted in any national newspaper, on social media, or through other means.

The forged certificates

Nnaji claimed he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985 and presented a degree certificate to back it up. He also submitted an NYSC discharge certificate.

But UNN's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, told PREMIUM TIMES that the university never issued any degree to Nnaji. The registrar confirmed that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or graduated.

The NYSC also disowned the discharge certificate Nnaji submitted. The scheme said it never issued such a document to him.

Nnaji tried to block UNN from releasing his records by filing a court suit. He listed the university, its vice-chancellor, the education minister, the National Universities Commission, and others as defendants. He later applied for an out-of-court settlement.

But before he could get an injunction, UNN had already responded to a Freedom of Information request from PREMIUM TIMES, confirming the forgery.

Resignation and aftermath

Three days after the investigation was published, Nnaji resigned as minister. Many Nigerians called for his prosecution, arguing that resignation wasn't enough.

The ICPC then launched a manhunt for him last week, as PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported.

Now, with a court order in hand, the anti-graft agency can arrest Nnaji anywhere in the country. Private citizens are also authorised to help identify and hand him over to the commission.

What happens next

The ICPC is expected to arraign Nnaji in court once he's arrested. He faces charges of forgery, abuse of office, and conferment of unfair advantage while serving as a minister.

The case marks one of the highest-profile certificate forgery scandals involving a Nigerian cabinet member in recent years.