A search for former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji has reportedly been initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) in connection with a purported certificate fabrication case.
Allegations that Nnaji falsified his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificates have been looked into by the anti-graft organization.
During his ministerial confirmation in 2023, President Bola Tinubu and the Senate are said to have received the credentials.
The two-year probe, which was reported by Premium Times in October of last year, was followed by the ICPC investigation.
The former minister allegedly falsified his NYSC and UNN degrees, according to the report.
According to commission sources who talked with Premium Times, Nnaji might face legal action if the investigation revealed that the credentials were fraudulent.
ICPC Does Nnaji Research
According to trustworthy people familiar with the situation, Nnaji’s reported refusal to accept invitations from the ICPC prompted the agency to look for him.
According to an insider who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to discuss the subject, UNN management had addressed ICPC’s questions about the continuing investigation.
The former minister had received numerous invitations to be questioned, the source claimed.
The source claims that the commission called, emailed, and used WhatsApp to invite Nnaji to scheduled interrogations, but he did not show up.
According to the source, “the ICPC is searching everywhere for him in order to possibly arrest him, and if we can’t find him, we will most likely declare him wanted.”
According to a different source, Nnaji’s decision to decline the invites was part of a plan to stay inaccessible while attempting to run for Enugu State’s governorship in 2027.
The former minister allegedly hoped to gain protection from criminal prosecution if he won the election, according to the source.
According to reports, Nnaji secretly switched from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after running unsuccessfully for governor of Enugu in 2023 on the APC platform.
Ahead to the 2027 general election, a PDP group supported by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly announced Nnaji as their candidate for governor in late May.
It was also said that he was considering running for governor, in part because he would be immune from prosecution if elected.
The ICPC has not yet made a public announcement regarding its decision to declare the former minister wanted.
