Professor arrested, released after Kanu health report

A retired medical professor who conducted an independent health assessment of imprisoned separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and subsequently released over the weekend, with authorities and the man's lawyer offering conflicting accounts for the detention.

Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji was taken from his residence in the Independence Layout area of Enugu State in the early hours of Friday, July 3. His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, stated that security operatives violently pulled down the gate to gain entry and that shots were fired during the incident. Ejimakor initially connected the arrest to a medical report Aghaji issued on Kanu's health, which he said contradicted an assessment from the State Security Service (SSS). Kanu, the convicted leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is serving a life sentence for terrorism.

The arrest prompted condemnation from the Nigerian Medical Association's Enugu State branch, which convened an emergency meeting. In a communiqué, the association described Aghaji as a distinguished medical elder and statesman, and strongly condemned the manner of his arrest while acknowledging the constitutional role of security agencies....