Crime

Nnamdi Emeh, Who Exposed Organ Trafficking Remains in Custody Despite Meeting Bail Requirements

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 28th, 2024.

Nnamdi Emeh, Who Exposed Organ Trafficking Remains in Custody Despite Meeting Bail Requirements

Nnamdi Emeh, a Nigerian whistleblower who unveiled an organ trafficking ring within the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, continues to be imprisoned even after fulfilling his bail conditions, according to reports from SaharaReporters.

Although his release warrant was signed on May 15, 2024, court officials have been obstructing his release, SaharaReporters has discovered.

In a related development, in October 2023, Emeh filed a petition with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, protesting his ongoing detention despite being granted bail. The petition, dated October 3, 2023, was submitted by his lawyer, Justus Ijeoma. It accused Nkem Mba, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Awka, of “unprofessional conduct” for allegedly demanding a N1 million bribe to process his bail, which Emeh’s family could not afford.

Emeh was detained following a blog post on Gistlover, an influential online platform, which implicated Patrick Agbazue, a police officer in Anambra, in crimes including extortion, abduction, murder, and organ trafficking. Emeh was accused of running the blog and exposing these crimes by the Rapid Response Squad Annex, Akwuzu, formerly known as SARS Awkuzu.

Facing 12 charges, including possession of firearms, money laundering, defamation, and unlawfully transferring N47 million, Emeh was granted bail on May 17, 2023. However, as of June 27, 2024, SaharaReporters has learned from a family member that Emeh remains in custody despite meeting all bail requirements.

The family member expressed frustration, stating, “Even though his release warrant has been signed by the presiding judge, court officials refuse to deliver the release warrant to the correctional service.”

Currently held at Ekwulobia prison in Anambra State, Emeh’s continued detention has raised significant concerns. In his October petition, Emeh alleged that Deputy Court Registrar Nkem Mba demanded a N1 million bribe to process his bail, which his family could not pay.

The petition, titled “A Petition Against the Deputy Chief Registrar, Awka Division of the Federal High Court. Re: Charge No. FHC/AWK/C/60/2023, The Inspector General of Police Vs. Emeh Nnamdi Daniel,” details the challenges Emeh has faced in securing his release, despite fulfilling all bail conditions set by Justice F. O. Riman.

Emeh’s counsel described the DCR’s actions as deliberately obstructive, stating, “The unfavourable disposition of the DCR started in May 2023 when she demanded N1 million for bail processing. We refused, citing that the defendant’s family could not afford such a payment and that it was not part of the court’s order. Since then, she has acted unprofessionally, causing continuous delays in the bail process.”

The petition calls for an investigation into the matter, urging judicial intervention to address corruption and ensure justice is served.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the police were planning to re-arrest Emeh even before he met the stringent bail conditions. Emeh, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was initially granted bail set at N50 million with two sureties in like sum.