Certificate forgery: Fresh trouble for Uche Nnaji as ICPC begins probe of ex-minister

Nnaji

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has begun an investigation into the certificate forgery scandal of a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, PREMIUM TIMES reports.

A painstaking two-year investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES in October last year revealed that Mr Nnaji forged his degree and NYSC certificates which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

Barely three days after the investigation, the politician resigned his position as minister.

Many Nigerians had called for Mr Nnaji’s prosecution, maintaining that his resignation was inadequate in the wake of his violations of various Nigerian laws, including Criminal Code Act.

Fresh trouble

Sources familiar with the development informed PREMIUM TIMES that the ICPC wrote to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, and demanded the documents Mr Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment.

The anti-graft agency, this newspaper reliably gathered, also contacted the Nigerian Senate for the same purpose.

Insiders say the former minister could be prosecuted if the investigation shows that he truly forged his credentials.

PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if the ICPC investigators had contacted NYSC authorities over the former minister’s forgery scandal although there are indications both agencies have been in discussions.