Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday took former Minister of Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, into custody at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to security sources, Nnaji was intercepted while attempting to board a private aircraft bound for Abuja. He was later handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is conducting further investigations into the matter.
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The sources explained that the arrest was carried out following a request from the ICPC, which has been probing petitions alleging certificate forgery as well as other issues connected to Nnaji’s time in office.
They added that the anti-corruption agency had reportedly invited the former minister on several occasions in relation to complaints concerning the administration of his ministry. After those efforts reportedly failed to yield the desired outcome, the ICPC sought the assistance of the DSS to facilitate his arrest.
Nnaji stepped down from his ministerial position in October last year under circumstances that drew significant public interest.
Before his appointment as minister, he participated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Enugu State.
In a related development, a civil society organisation had earlier urged the PDP not to present Nnaji as its governorship candidate, insisting that the allegations against him could pose a political burden for the party.
The organisation argued that although Nnaji has not been found guilty of any offence, the certificate forgery allegations raised ethical questions that, in its view, remain publicly unanswered.
As of the time this report was prepared, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had released an official statement regarding the arrest, while attempts to obtain comments from Nnaji were unsuccessful.
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