A lawyer, Chief Maxwell Opara had on Saturday alleged that “Information has reached me that Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, the medical expert who reportedly issued independent medical reports on the health condition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested at his residence in Independence Layout, Enugu State, on 3rd July, 2026.”
He explained that “Prof. Aghaji’s reported medical assessments were said to have countered the official medical report presented by the Department of State Services, DSS.”
Chidera in a statement issued on Sunday which was shared with THE WHISTLER, also alleged that Professor Aghaji, was arrested on July 3 after issuing an independent medical assessment of Kanu’s health.
He also claimed that the assessment contradicted the position of the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that security operatives subsequently stormed the professor’s residence in Independence Layout, Enugu.
“The arrest on 3rd July 2026 of Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji… is not the detention of one man. It is a calculated declaration by the Nigerian state that truth itself is now a crime,” Chidera said.
He added that Aghaji’s “only offence is that he did what any ethical physician of his stature would do: he issued an independent medical assessment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s health that contradicted the self-serving narrative of the Department of State Services (DSS).”
The lawyer described the reported arrest as an attempt to intimidate professionals who carry out their duties independently, insisting that no medical expert of Aghaji’s standing should face what he termed “extra-judicial intimidation.”
According to Chidera, the development further demonstrated that Kanu’s continued detention was politically motivated.
“It has nothing to do with law. It has everything to do with a state-sponsored determination to keep him jailed – or broken – at all costs, simply because he refuses to abandon the legitimate agitation for Biafran self-determination,” he alleged.
He also argued that the reported arrest reinforced his position that Kanu could not receive a fair hearing in Nigeria, citing what he described as flaws in the judicial process.
Chidera called on the United Kingdom Government to condemn the reported arrest and take diplomatic steps towards securing the release of both Kanu and Aghaji.
He also urged diplomatic missions, Amnesty International and other international human rights organisations to intervene, while calling on the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association and civil society organisations to defend the professor.
“The Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, and all civil society organisations [should] rise in defence of their colleague and of the rule of law. If they can come for Professor Aghaji today, they can come for any professional tomorrow,” he said.
The lawyer demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Aghaji and Kanu, as well as an end to what he described as the persecution of professionals who refuse to compromise their ethical obligations.
There was no official response from the DSS. The department could not be contacted due to lack of a spokesperson as of the time this report was filed.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
