UNAA Condemns DSS Raid, Arrest of Emeritus Prof. Aghaji, Demands Justice

UNAA also alleged that Prof. Aghaji was detained in Enugu before being flown to the DSS office in Magodo, Lagos, where he was reportedly held for more than 48 hours without being charged. The association claimed he was later released without explanation beyond a verbal apology and was left to arrange and pay for his return journey to Enugu.

Describing the incident as a violation of Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the association maintained that Prof. Aghaji was neither invited for questioning nor afforded due process.

Highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s medical and academic sectors, UNAA noted that Prof. Aghaji graduated as the best student of the University of Nigeria in 1977, served for nearly four decades as a consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), pioneered Nigeria’s first successful mitral and aortic valve replacement surgeries using mechanical valves, and later became the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.

The association demanded an immediate public apology from the DSS, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on national television within seven days. It also called for an independent investigation into the operation by the DSS Director-General, disciplinary action against officers found culpable, compensation for the alleged unlawful detention and destruction of property, and institutional reforms to prevent similar incidents.

“This was not an arrest. It was an assault on dignity, on due process, and on a man who gave his life to Nigeria,” the statement read.

UNAA warned that it would pursue legal, diplomatic and civic measures until justice is achieved, giving the DSS seven days to issue a public apology and 21 days to commence action on its other demands.

The Department of State Services had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of this report.