Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for strict adherence to due process in the ongoing investigation involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, following his arrest and continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The groups made the call on Friday during a press briefing where they raised concerns over the handling of the matter and urged relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of all parties involved are protected.
Speaking during the briefing, the national president of Youth off the Street Initiative, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, said the process must be guided by the rule of law.
“We are calling for due process and fairness. Every Nigerian has a right to fair hearing, and institutions established by law must be allowed to perform their duties without prejudice,” Iyere said.
The CSOs alleged that the matter had political undertones and urged the ICPC to allow the judicial process to determine the outcome of the allegations against Nnaji.
The organisations said the allegations relating to claims of certificate forgery involving the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), are already before the court and should be handled within the framework of the law.
They stressed the importance of respecting ongoing judicial proceedings and avoiding actions capable of undermining the principle of fair hearing.
On the duration of Nnaji’s detention, the groups expressed concern that prolonged custody could heighten political tension, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the national president of the Unemployed Youths Association of Nigeria, Ebi Zuofa, called for increased government attention towards job creation and economic challenges affecting young Nigerians and informal sector operators.
“The issue of unemployment and the rising cost of living requires urgent attention. Many young Nigerians and informal sector operators are struggling, and government policies must continue to address these realities,” Zuofa said.
He urged the government to expand youth empowerment programmes and ensure that interventions are transparent, inclusive and accessible.
Zuofa also appealed to authorities handling the investigation involving Chief Uche Nnaji to ensure fairness and compliance with legal procedures.
He said addressing unemployment and economic hardship would help reduce social pressures and enable young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The ICPC and other parties mentioned in the allegations were not available for immediate comments at the time of filing this report.
