ENUGU (9News Nigeria) — Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Wednesday arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while attempting to board a private jet to Abuja.
Multiple security sources told 9News Nigeria that the arrest was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday following a request by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is reportedly investigating the former minister over allegations linked to his tenure in office.
According to the sources, DSS operatives intercepted Nnaji at the airport before taking him into custody and subsequently handing him over to the ICPC for further investigation.
“The DSS acted on the request of the ICPC. He was arrested at the Enugu airport while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja and has since been handed over to the commission,” a security source familiar with the operation said.
Sources further disclosed that the ICPC had previously invited the former minister on several occasions in connection with petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology during his time in office.
However, the sources claimed that Nnaji did not honour the invitations, prompting the anti-corruption agency to seek the assistance of the DSS to facilitate his arrest.
“They had extended several invitations to him following petitions relating to the management of the ministry. When he failed to honour the invitations, the ICPC sought the assistance of the DSS to effect his arrest,” another source said.
Uche Nnaji resigned from his position as Minister of Science and Technology in October last year under circumstances that attracted public attention, although no official connection has been established between his resignation and the ongoing investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Department of State Services nor the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had issued an official statement regarding the arrest.
Efforts by 9News Nigeria to obtain official confirmation from the ICPC were unsuccessful. Calls placed to the Commission’s spokesperson, John Odeh, were not answered as of the time this report was filed.
The former minister has also not publicly commented on the allegations or his reported arrest.
The ICPC is expected to provide further details on the investigation as the matter progresses.
