Renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Emeritus Professor Martin A.C. Aghaji, has regained his freedom after spending days in the custody of the Department of State Services.
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Aghaji was reportedly released on Sunday following sustained pressure from the Nigerian Medical Association, senior medical practitioners, civil society actors and other concerned stakeholders, who demanded that the DSS either disclose the reason for his arrest or release him.
Sources familiar with the development said the respected surgeon had been held without any public explanation of the allegations against him, a development that triggered concern and outrage within Nigeria’s medical community.
As of the time of his release, the DSS had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding his arrest or the reason for his detention.
The incident prompted the Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association to convene an emergency meeting of its State Officers’ Council on Saturday.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the association condemned the manner in which Aghaji was reportedly taken from his residence, insisting that although security agencies have constitutional duties, every citizen must be treated with dignity and in accordance with due process.
The NMA said that immediately it became aware of the arrest, it opened engagements with the Office of the Security Adviser to the Enugu State Governor, the Nigeria Police Force, including the Divisional Police Officer of the Independence Layout Division, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, the DSS and other relevant authorities.
The association also said it notified the national leadership of the NMA about the development.
Despite those engagements, the NMA said no official explanation had been given for Aghaji’s arrest.
The association described the professor as “an internationally acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon, renowned academic, distinguished statesman and one of Nigeria’s foremost medical icons.”
It demanded his immediate release or, in the alternative, full protection of his constitutional rights, including access to his family, legal representation and medical care.
The State Officers’ Council also resolved to convene an Emergency General Meeting of members to deliberate on the development and determine further lawful and professional steps.
It further sought the intervention of the national leadership of the NMA to coordinate advocacy efforts in the interest of justice and the protection of members of the medical profession.
Aghaji’s release came less than 24 hours after the communiqué was issued and amid mounting public concern over his continued detention.
Although the exact circumstances that led to his release remain unclear, sources said pressure from the medical community and other stakeholders contributed significantly to the decision to free him.
Professor Aghaji is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons and has earned national and international recognition for his contributions to medical education, surgery and healthcare development.
His arrest without publicly disclosed allegations had generated criticism, with many calling on security agencies to respect due process and uphold the constitutional rights of citizens during investigations.
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