Ex-Science Minister Uche Nnaji arrested by DSS over ICPC investigation
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, over allegations linked to his time in office.
Sources said Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja. The arrest was reportedly carried out at the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is investigating petitions concerning the management of the ministry during his tenure.
According to security sources, DSS operatives intercepted the former minister before he boarded the aircraft and subsequently handed 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," one source disclosed.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the ICPC had previously invited Nnaji on several occasions over petitions alleging irregularities in the administration of the Ministry of Science and Technology. However, he was said to have failed to honour the invitations, prompting the anti-graft agency to seek the assistance of the DSS.
Another source stated that the commission opted for his arrest after repeated efforts to secure his cooperation proved unsuccessful.
"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," the source added.
Although the exact nature of the allegations has not been made public, the investigation is believed to focus on activities within the Ministry of Science and Technology during Nnaji's tenure.
Nnaji resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October last year, a move that drew widespread public attention.
His arrest is expected to facilitate questioning by ICPC investigators as the commission continues its probe into the ministry's affairs.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement confirming the arrest or providing details of the investigation.
Efforts to obtain comments from the ICPC were unsuccessful, as calls to the commission's spokesperson, John Odeh, were not answered. The former minister has also not publicly responded to the allegations or commented on his reported arrest.
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