Uche Nnaji Ignored ICPC Invitations Over Forgery Claims

A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, did not respond to several invitations from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) about his certificate forgery case, according to reports from PREMIUM TIMES.

The ICPC has been looking into Mr Nnaji's forgery issues. This investigation started after a detailed two-year probe published by PREMIUM TIMES in October last year. The report revealed that Mr Nnaji forged his University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. He submitted these documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

On June 9, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ICPC had started searching for Mr Nnaji after he failed to appear for their meetings regarding his forgery case.

This newspaper also reported in mid-June that a federal high court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji for not responding to the agency's invitations about his certificate forgery case.

Documentary Evidence Against Denials

Before PREMIUM TIMES reported that a federal court ordered his arrest, Mr Nnaji, known as Nwakaibeya, claimed that the ICPC was not looking for him. He accused the Enugu State Government of spreading lies against him.

"I have never seen a government in my life that everything is based on lies like the present government in Enugu State," he said.

He added, "They are either saying Nwakaibie has a certificate problem or they say the ICPC has launched a manhunt for me. Is it not me here? Where is the ICPC?" This was his response to the reported manhunt by the ICPC.

He spoke with reporters in early June at Akanu-Ibiam International Airport Emene in Enugu. Arise News TV, a Lagos-based station, also aired his claims about the situation.

But documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES showed that Mr Nnaji ignored ICPC invitations and did not attend scheduled interviews about his forgery case. This newspaper got a copy of an invitation letter sent to Mr Nnaji by the ICPC.

The letter dated May 15 was signed by Usman Ahmed, the Head of the Chairman’s Special Task Force of the ICPC. It was addressed to Mr Nnaji with the title, "Investigation Activities/Notice of Invitation." In the letter, the ICPC informed him about an investigation into a possible violation of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act 2000 in which his name was mentioned.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 28 of the aforementioned Act, you are requested to report for an interview with the undersigned through the Team Leader with phone number 08063642*** at the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja on 20th May, 2026 by 10 a.m.," the letter stated in part.

PREMIUM TIMES also saw a communication showing that the ICPC sent the invitation letter to Mr Nnaji through at least two of his WhatsApp numbers and his email. The letter was sent to his WhatsApp numbers on May 16, and he received it. The following day, it was sent to his email address.

The ICPC followed up with a reminder via text message on May 19 ahead of the scheduled interview the next day. The commission explained that they used his WhatsApp and email because they did not have his current address and he did not answer phone calls about the invitation.

"This became necessary, and as the only available means of inviting you at the moment because we are unable to get your current home address and have no office address to send the invitation following your resignation as a minister," the ICPC stated in a communication seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

"Treat it as very important, please. This message can serve as an additional invitation, please." But he did not attend the scheduled interview on May 20.

The ICPC then moved the interview to June 3 and contacted Mr Nnaji again, asking him to keep the appointment for the sake of justice.

"The invitation date has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 by 10 a.m. You are advised to honour this invitation in the interest of justice and fair hearing," the commission told the former minister in their message.

But Mr Nnaji again failed to show up on the new date. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the ICPC, unhappy with Mr Nnaji’s repeated absence, then went to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered his arrest for investigation.

Background of the Case

PREMIUM TIMES started looking into Mr Nnaji’s academic records in October 2023. The former minister had submitted a degree certificate and NYSC certificates to President Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023. He said he graduated from UNN in 1985.

Worried about the scrutiny, Mr Nnaji filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop UNN and its vice-chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, a professor, from releasing his academic records. The minister of education, the National Universities Commission, the university’s registrar, its former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofo Ujam, a professor, and the Senate of the university were named as defendants in the suit.

Recently, the politician’s legal team filed for an out-of-court settlement. Before Mr Nnaji could get a court order, Mr Ortuanya responded to PREMIUM TIMES’ request for information, confirming that Mr Nnaji had forged his UNN degree certificate.

The UNN registrar later backed Mr Ortuanya’s statement, saying that although Mr Nnaji was admitted to the university in 1981, he did not graduate or receive any certificate. The NYSC authorities also confirmed that Mr Nnaji’s discharge certificate was not valid in response to a separate request from PREMIUM TIMES.