Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the Department of State Services (DSS) to be held accountable for clearing the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, amid allegations of certificate forgery.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Atiku criticised the agency’s vetting process following Nnaji’s resignation from the Federal Executive Council.

Nnaji, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, resigned on Tuesday over controversies regarding his academic and NYSC certificates. Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga later confirmed that the President had accepted Nnaji’s resignation.

Atiku, however, faulted what he described as the DSS’s failure to perform due diligence, saying it had brought Nigeria into disrepute.

“The failure of the DSS to properly vet public office holders has made Nigeria an object of ridicule,” he said. “How many more individuals with questionable records are occupying sensitive positions in government?”

He also criticised what he called the “courtesy” extended to Nnaji by allowing him to resign voluntarily rather than being dismissed.

“He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification,” Atiku said.

The former vice president warned that allowing such cases to go unpunished would encourage other forgers and impostors to infiltrate public service.

“Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin and global embarrassment,” he added. “The time has come to rescue our country from deceit and restore integrity to public life.”