Operatives of the Department of State Services on Wednesday arrested a former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
According to security sources, Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja. The sources said the arrest followed a request by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which is investigating the former minister over allegations relating to his tenure in office.
A security source said the DSS handed Nnaji over to the ICPC shortly after the arrest 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,” the source said.
Another source disclosed that the anti-graft agency had previously invited the former minister several times following petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“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.
Nnaji resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October 2025 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 Nnaji had yet to comment on the allegations. Calls to the ICPC spokesperson, John Odeh, were not answered.
