The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has condemned the arrest of former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, by operatives of the Department of State Services at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, describing it as politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its leadership on Wednesday, COSEYL said the arrest “bears the unmistakable imprint of a personal vendetta disguised as an investigation” and warned that deploying state institutions against political opponents undermines Nigeria’s democracy.
“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, not by intimidation, political witch-hunts, or the weaponization of security and anti-corruption agencies,” the group stated. “Every citizen is entitled to the presumption of innocence, fair treatment, and due process as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
COSEYL said it supports the fight against corruption but insisted the process must be impartial and transparent. “That fight must never become a tool for political score-settling or selective justice. Any investigation must be conducted professionally and without the appearance of bias or persecution,” it said.
The group said the manner of Nnaji’s arrest has reinforced public concerns that security agencies are being used to intimidate political figures, a development it said weakens confidence in democratic institutions and anti-graft efforts.
“We therefore demand the immediate release of Chief Uche Nnaji. If there are any legitimate legal issues requiring his attention, they should be handled strictly in accordance with due process and respect for his constitutional rights,” COSEYL demanded.
The group also warned against the use of security and anti-corruption agencies to settle political scores, saying “democracy flourishes where institutions operate independently and fairly, not where they are perceived as tools of intimidation against dissenting voices.”
COSEYL urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to resist actions that erode Nigeria’s democratic credentials, adding that “the abuse of state power for partisan purposes poses a serious threat to national unity, democratic stability, and the rule of law.”
It assured South East residents and Nigerians that it would continue to speak out against injustice, political intimidation and selective prosecution.
