RULAAC Decries Alleged Unlawful Detention of Banker by DSS

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has  condemned in strong terms the alleged indefinite and secret detention of OnyemaechiChizaram, an employee of Fidelity Bank in Aba, Abia State, by the Department of State Service (DSS).

RULAAC also stressed that 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 the reasons for it.

A statement by Executive Director, RULAAC, OkechukwuNwanguma, recalled that  Chizaram’s family had reported that he was arrested on January 10, 2025, and had remained unaccounted for since.

“Onyemaechi’s absence was first noted when he failed to return home from work on January 10. Inquiries by his father at Fidelity Bank revealed he was arrested by police and directed to seek information from the Zone 9 police headquarters and the DSS office in Umuahia. Both entities denied holding him.

“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.

“Reports indicate that Onyemaechi is currently being secretly held at the DSS office in Shangisha, Lagos”.

RULAAC, stressed that his family and legal representatives remain unaware of the charges against him, lamenting that he has been unlawfully detained for over 17 days without bail or charges.

To this end, RULAAC  denounced the arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention, calling the DSS to immediately release Chizaram and uphold the rule of law, urging law enforcement agencies to follow legal procedures and respect the rights of individuals.

Meanwhile, a source in the DSS told THISDAY that the suspect was in custody and is undergoing investigation for his alleged involvement in a high profile cybercrime offence involving billions of Naira.

The source further noted that the group and the family cannot pretend not to know that he was picked up over a cybercrime related offence.

The matter, he said, is already in court and the service will speak at the appropriate time, as the suspect is cooperating with the investigators by giving useful information.

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