Rights group, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), on Monday expressed concerns about the indefinite and secret detention of Onyemaechi Fabian Chizaram, an employee of Fidelity Bank in Aba, Abia State.
Onyemaechi was allegedly arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) on January 10, 2025, and has remained unaccounted for since, according to his family.
A statement by the RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, noted that Onyemaechi’s family reported that his absence was first noted when he failed to return home from work on January 10.
Nwanguma said his father’s inquiries at Fidelity Bank revealed that he was arrested by police and directed to seek information from the Zone 9 police headquarters and the DSS office in Umuahia.
Both entities, however, denied having him in their custody.
“On January 17, some persons who identified themselves as DSS operatives returned Onyemaechi briefly to his family home before taking him back into custody, denying further access to him,” Nwanguma said.
The RULAAC director noted that reports indicate that Onyemaechi is secretly being held at the DSS office in Shangisha, Lagos.
According to him, Onyemaechi’s family and legal representatives remain unaware of the charges against him, and he has been unlawfully detained for over 17 days without bail or charges.
Mr Nwanguma said the 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 its reasons.
Nwanguma said, “RULAAC firmly denounces this arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention.
“We call on the DSS to immediately release Onyemaechi Fabian Chizaram and uphold the rule of law.
“Law enforcement agencies must adhere to legal procedures and respect the rights of individuals.”
