Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arrested former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu over allegations being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to security sources, Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of the day while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja. The DSS reportedly acted at the request of the ICPC before handing the former minister over to the anti-graft agency for further investigation.
The arrest marks the latest development in an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding Nnaji’s tenure in office. Reports indicate that the ICPC had previously invited the former minister for questioning over petitions alleging irregularities, but he allegedly failed to honour several invitations, prompting the commission to seek the assistance of the DSS in effecting his arrest.
The investigation is also linked to allegations of certificate forgery, abuse of office and conferment of unfair advantage. Earlier in June, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the ICPC’s request for a warrant to arrest Nnaji after the commission argued that he had repeatedly declined to respond to its invitations.
Nnaji, who served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology after his appointment in 2023, resigned from office in October 2025 amid growing controversy over allegations concerning his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials. He has consistently denied wrongdoing and previously maintained that he was neither under investigation nor evading any law enforcement agency.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement detailing the specific charges arising from Wednesday’s arrest. Representatives of the former minister had also not publicly commented on the latest development.
The ICPC is expected to continue its investigation and determine the next legal steps in the case.
