The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed grave concern over the secretive and indefinite detention of Onyemaechi Fabian Chizaram, an employee of Fidelity Bank in Aba, Abia State, allegedly by the Department of State Services (DSS). The organization is calling for his immediate release.
According to RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Onyemaechi was arrested on January 10, 2025, and has been unaccounted for since. His absence was first noticed when he failed to return home from work that day. Subsequent inquiries by his father at Fidelity Bank revealed that Onyemaechi had been arrested by individuals claiming to be police officers, who directed him to seek information from the Zone 9 police headquarters and the DSS office in Umuahia. Both agencies denied holding him.
On January 17, individuals identifying themselves as DSS operatives reportedly brought Onyemaechi briefly to his family home before taking him back into custody, denying further access to him. Reports suggest that he is currently being held at the DSS office in Shangisha, Lagos. His family and legal representatives remain unaware of the charges against him, and he has been detained for over 17 days without bail or formal charges.
RULAAC emphasizes that such detention without charge or bail contravenes established legal norms, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which mandates that a detainee’s family must be informed of their arrest and the reasons for it.
The organization firmly denounces this arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention, calling on the DSS to immediately release Onyemaechi Fabian Chizaram and uphold the rule of law. RULAAC stresses that law enforcement agencies must adhere to legal procedures and respect the rights of individuals.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of actions by security agencies that have raised concerns among civil society organizations. For instance, in September 2024, RULAAC condemned the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero by the DSS and the siege on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the police, viewing these actions as alarming for freedom and democracy in Nigeria.
RULAAC continues to advocate for the protection of civil liberties and adherence to the rule of law, urging security agencies to respect democratic norms and principles.
