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 in Enugu.
Security sources said Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of the day while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja. The arrest was reportedly carried out at the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is investigating allegations against the former minister.
According to the sources, Nnaji was subsequently handed over to the anti-graft agency for further investigation. They disclosed that the ICPC had previously invited him several times over petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology during his tenure.
The sources added that the commission sought the assistance of the DSS after Nnaji allegedly failed to honour the invitations. Nnaji resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October last year under circumstances that attracted public attention.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement on the arrest, while the former minister had yet to comment on the allegations. Calls to the ICPC spokesperson, John Odeh, were also unanswered.
