A report has surfaced alleging the arrest of Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, a respected medical expert who reportedly conducted an independent medical evaluation of the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The allegation was made on Saturday by legal practitioner Chief Barrister Maxwell Opara, who claimed that Professor Aghaji was arrested at his residence in the Independence Layout area of Enugu State on Friday, July 3, 2026.
According to Opara, the professor had previously issued an independent medical report on Kanu’s health, which he said contradicted the official medical assessment presented by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement made available to journalists, Opara said information reaching him indicated that the eminent medical scholar had been taken into custody shortly after submitting the medical findings.
“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 July 3, 2026,” Opara stated.
The lawyer further alleged that the independent medical assessment prepared by the professor differed significantly from the health report earlier submitted by the DSS.
“Prof. Aghaji’s reported medical assessments were said to have countered the official medical report presented by the Department of State Services,” he added.
Opara, however, did not provide detailed information regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest. He did not specify the security agency responsible for the operation, nor did he indicate whether any formal charges had been filed against the professor.
Despite the limited details available, the legal practitioner expressed concern over the development and called on relevant professional and civil society bodies to closely monitor the situation.
He urged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other civil society organisations to ensure that due process and the rule of law are strictly observed in the handling of the matter.
“We call on the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups and other relevant authorities to ensure that due process and the rule of law are strictly observed, and that nobody should be intimidated for speaking the truth,” Opara said.
The reported arrest has generated fresh concern among supporters of the IPOB leader and human rights advocates, particularly because Kanu’s detention and health condition have remained subjects of intense public debate and ongoing legal proceedings.
Kanu is currently facing trial on charges brought against him by the Federal Government, while his legal team has repeatedly raised concerns about his health and access to adequate medical care.
The issue of independent medical assessments has been a recurring point of contention between Kanu’s lawyers and the authorities overseeing his detention.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of the alleged arrest from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, or any other security agency.
Similarly, no formal statement had been issued by Professor Aghaji, his family, or his legal representatives regarding the reported development.
The absence of official confirmation has left several questions unanswered, including the exact reasons for the alleged arrest and whether it is connected to the independent medical report attributed to the professor.
Observers say the matter is likely to attract significant public attention in the coming days, especially given Professor Aghaji’s reputation in the medical community and the broader national interest surrounding the health and detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest remain unclear, while calls for transparency, due process, and respect for professional independence continue to grow.
