Ex-Minister Appeals Arrest Order Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has appealed a Federal High Court order directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest him over an alleged certificate forgery scandal.

NEWSNGR had earlier reported that the order was issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, following an ex parte motion filed by the ICPC.

The anti-graft agency had told the court that the application followed Nnaji’s alleged refusal to honour invitations for “investigative activities” relating to the certificate forgery allegations.

The court also granted the ICPC permission to declare the former minister wanted in national newspapers, on social media platforms or through other channels.

According to Premium Times, Nnaji had earlier denied being in hiding or evading law enforcement.

Nnaji’s spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, said in a statement, “We wish to state unequivocally that Chief Nnaji is not in hiding and has never evaded any law enforcement agency.

“We further wish to make it abundantly clear that neither Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji nor his legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has received any invitation, summons, warrant, or correspondence whatsoever from the ICPC.”

In the notice of appeal filed before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on June 18, Nnaji expressed dissatisfaction with the “entire orders” of the lower court.

He argued that the Federal High Court “erred in law” by granting the orders without jurisdiction.

The former minister also challenged the use of electronic evidence allegedly presented by the ICPC, insisting that the court failed to comply with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.

Ex-Minister Seeks Stay Of Arrest Order

Nnaji further argued that the lower court relied on “unsubstantiated facts” in granting the ex parte orders.

He argued, “There was nothing before the lower court, establishing that the telephone numbers and email addresses to which the referenced messages/texts were purportedly directed belonged to the appellant.

“There was nothing before the lower court, showing a reply to any of the messages/texts purportedly sent to the numbers and email address contained therein.”

He asked the Court of Appeal to vacate the arrest order and strike out the ICPC’s suit. Nnaji also filed a motion seeking to stop the execution of the arrest order pending the determination of his appeal.

He argued that enforcing the order would keep him “out of circulation” and deny him the opportunity to continue campaign activities ahead of the election.

The former minister said refusal to grant his application would affect not only him but also “the Nigerian democratic process, which is built on freedom of participation and choice of the electorate.”