Obi made his position known in a statement published on his X account on Saturday while reacting to reports that the 74-year-old cardiothoracic surgeon, who has been identified as one of the physicians linked to detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, was taken into custody by security operatives before being released.
According to Obi, the operation was carried out at Aghaji's residence in the Independent Layout area of Enugu, where security personnel reportedly arrived in the early hours of the day and arrested the medical professor in the presence of his daughter, who was visiting him at the time.
He argued that the professor was not invited for questioning before the arrest, describing the manner in which the operation was conducted as inconsistent with established legal procedures expected of law enforcement agencies.
The former governor noted that Aghaji is a highly respected medical specialist and academic whose reputation and years of service warranted lawful and dignified treatment regardless of the circumstances surrounding any investigation.
Obi further stated that the professor was reportedly moved from Enugu to Lagos, where he remained in custody for three days before regaining his freedom after authorities allegedly acknowledged that the arrest had resulted from an error.
He warned that incidents of this nature could weaken public confidence in security institutions and discourage professionals from contributing their expertise to national development.
The NDC presidential candidate also expressed concern that such experiences could accelerate the departure of skilled medical personnel from Nigeria, thereby worsening the shortage of healthcare professionals already affecting the country's medical sector.
Obi recalled a similar case involving a medical doctor in Akwa Ibom State that attracted criticism from the Nigeria Medical Association and urged security agencies to uphold professionalism, observe due process and safeguard the constitutional rights of all Nigerians.
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