The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has condemned the arrest and detention of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Martin Aghaji, describing the operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) as humiliating and a violation of due process.
Obi’s reaction follows the arrest of the 74-year-old consultant cardiac surgeon at his residence in Enugu by operatives of the DSS, who reportedly transferred him to Lagos over an alleged economic crime before his eventual release on bail.
Professor Aghaji was reportedly arrested at his home in the Independent Layout area of Enugu in the early hours of Thursday, July 2, 2026, by the Enugu State Command of the DSS.
He was subsequently moved to the agency’s Lagos State Command, where he remained in detention while investigations continued.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) later secured his release on bail after intervening in the matter.
Chairman of the NMA Lagos State branch, Dr. Babajide Kehinde Saheed, said the association became involved after being contacted by the Lagos State Director of the DSS.
“I was called by the Director, DSS Lagos State Command, who informed me about the arrest of Prof. Martin Aghaji. I then informed the Chairman, NMA Enugu State, and the national NMA,” Saheed said.
Reacting to the incident, Obi described the manner of the professor’s arrest as disturbing, arguing that it reflected a broader pattern of disregard for citizens’ rights and dignity.
In a statement titled “The Disheartening Humiliation of Prof. Aghaji,” Obi questioned what he described as a growing trend of uncivil conduct by public institutions.
“Every day in this country, we find ourselves in a bizarre situation that we find difficult to understand: where we are and how we got to this uncivilised behaviour and rascality,” Obi said.
He alleged that security operatives stormed the professor’s residence at about 2 a.m. without prior invitation or direct contact and arrested him in the presence of his visiting daughter.
“This man was not invited, nor was any direct contact made with him. Instead, they invaded his home at Independent Layout, Enugu, in the dead of the night, at 2 a.m., to arrest him in front of his visiting daughter,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that Aghaji’s professional standing and age warranted respectful treatment, while stressing that all Nigerians deserve equal protection under the law.
“As an internationally recognised cardiothoracic surgeon, esteemed academic, and elder statesman, Professor Aghaji warrants a considerable degree of respect, both because of his advanced age and his substantial contributions to our nation.
“More importantly, however, every Nigerian, irrespective of status or profession, deserves to be treated with dignity and in accordance with the rule of law,” Obi stated.
He further criticised the outcome of the operation, claiming that after the professor was taken from Enugu to Lagos and detained for three days, authorities acknowledged an error.
“After the humiliation of breaking into his house and whisking him away from Enugu to Lagos for three days, all he got was, ‘Sorry, we made a mistake,’” Obi said.
Obi warned that incidents involving the treatment of respected professionals could have wider implications for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including worsening the country’s medical brain drain and undermining confidence among healthcare workers.
He also linked the episode to an earlier incident involving another medical practitioner in Akwa Ibom State, which drew strong reactions from the Nigerian Medical Association and prompted discussions about a possible nationwide strike before the matter was resolved through a public apology.
According to Obi, the treatment of professionals in such circumstances sends the wrong signal and weakens public confidence in the rule of law.
“The practice of treating highly regarded, ethical professionals – and indeed any Nigerian – like common criminals sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law across all sectors.
“Therefore, we must conduct ourselves with civility in the discharge of our public duties,” Obi said.
(The Whistler)