ICPC Launches Manhunt for Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
Fresh details have emerged indicating that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has intensified its probe into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations bordering on certificate forgery.
Information obtained by PulseNets indicates that the anti-corruption agency is reportedly making efforts to track down the former minister after he allegedly failed to honour multiple invitations connected to the ongoing investigation.
According to reports monitored by PulseNets, sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the ICPC reached out to Nnaji through several communication channels, including phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp messages, requesting his appearance before investigators. However, he reportedly did not respond to the invitations.
One of the sources cited in the report reportedly stated that the commission may be left with no option but to declare the former minister wanted should attempts to secure his appearance continue to fail.
PulseNets learnt that the latest development forms part of a wider investigation that followed an extensive examination of Nnaji’s academic credentials and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records.
Earlier reports reviewed by PulseNets alleged that the former minister submitted forged university degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
As part of the investigation, the ICPC is also said to have requested information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) concerning the former minister’s academic history.
Another source quoted in the report alleged that Nnaji’s failure to honour the invitations could be connected to his political calculations ahead of the 2027 Enugu State governorship election.
PulseNets further learnt that the former minister reportedly left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he later emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nnaji nor his media aide, Robert Ngwu, had publicly addressed the latest allegations. Reports monitored by PulseNets indicated that calls and messages sent to his spokesperson were not returned.
The controversy surrounding the former minister dates back to 2023 when questions were first raised regarding his academic qualifications and related records.
According to documents reviewed by PulseNets, Nnaji had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in an attempt to prevent the release of his academic records by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
However, subsequent reports indicated that university authorities informed investigators that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution, he neither graduated from the university nor obtained the certificate attributed to him.
The publication also reported that the National Youth Service Corps disowned the discharge certificate allegedly presented by the former minister.
Following the emergence of the allegations, Nnaji eventually resigned from his position as minister.
The case has continued to generate significant public interest, with legal practitioners and civil society organisations calling for a comprehensive investigation and possible prosecution if evidence establishes wrongdoing.
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In a related development, PulseNets reported earlier this year that an investigative panel constituted by the Federal Ministry of Education reviewed the matter as part of a broader examination of allegations surrounding the former minister’s educational credentials.
Despite growing public attention on the case, the ICPC has not yet issued an official statement outlining the current status of its investigation into the former minister.
