Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested former Minister of Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery and subsequently handed him over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation.
The former minister was reportedly apprehended on Wednesday morning at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja, according to security sources familiar with the operation.
Sources disclosed that the arrest was carried out by DSS operatives acting on the request of the ICPC, which is currently investigating Nnaji over allegations bordering on the authenticity of his academic credentials.
According to the sources, the anti-corruption agency had been conducting an investigation into petitions concerning the former minister’s tenure in office and had invited him on several occasions to respond to issues raised during the course of its inquiry.
However, investigators alleged that Nnaji repeatedly failed to honour the invitations issued by the commission, prompting the ICPC to seek the intervention of the Department of State Services to ensure his appearance before investigators.
“The DSS acted based on a formal request from the ICPC after several invitations extended to the former minister were allegedly ignored,” one of the sources said.
The security operation reportedly unfolded at the departure terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, where Nnaji was intercepted shortly before boarding a privately chartered aircraft scheduled to depart for Abuja.
Witnesses said DSS operatives carried out the arrest without incident before escorting the former minister into custody.
Following the arrest, Nnaji was transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, where he is expected to face further questioning as investigators continue to examine the allegations against him.
Although the full details of the investigation have yet to be made public, sources indicated that the inquiry centres on allegations of certificate forgery, alongside petitions relating to the administration and management of the Ministry of Science and Technology during Nnaji’s period in office.
The ICPC is expected to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support possible criminal charges once its investigation is concluded.
The development marks another significant step in the commission’s efforts to investigate allegations involving public officials and enforce accountability in public service.
Nnaji served as Minister of Science and Technology before resigning from office in October last year under circumstances that attracted considerable public attention.
His resignation generated widespread speculation at the time, although no official connection was established between his departure from office and the allegations currently being investigated.
The latest development has, however, renewed public interest in the events surrounding his exit from the Federal Executive Council.
As news of the arrest spread, legal observers noted that the investigation remains ongoing and that the former minister is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
Neither the DSS nor the ICPC had, as of the time of filing this report, issued an official statement confirming the arrest or providing details of the allegations being investigated.
Similarly, Nnaji had not publicly commented on the allegations or responded to reports of his arrest.
The absence of official statements from the security agencies has left many questions unanswered regarding the scope of the investigation, the nature of the evidence already obtained and the specific offences that may ultimately be preferred against the former minister.
Nevertheless, security sources maintained that the arrest formed part of an ongoing investigation and that further updates would be provided by the appropriate authorities when necessary.
The ICPC has consistently reiterated its commitment to investigating allegations of corruption, fraud and other forms of misconduct involving public officials, regardless of their status or previous positions in government.
The commission has also encouraged individuals invited for questioning to cooperate fully with investigators, warning that failure to honour lawful invitations could result in enforcement actions through relevant security agencies.
Should the investigation establish sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, the commission is expected to initiate appropriate legal proceedings in accordance with Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.
For now, the focus remains on the ongoing investigation as the ICPC continues to examine the allegations surrounding the former minister’s academic credentials and his conduct while serving in public office.
The case is expected to attract significant public attention in the coming days, particularly given the increasing scrutiny of public office holders over issues relating to academic qualifications, integrity and accountability.
