A whistleblower, Nnamdi Emeh, who exposed an alleged organ trafficking ring within the Anambra State Police Command, remains in detention nearly two years after his initial arrest. Despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court in Awka in May 2023, Emeh has not been released from prison due to alleged bureaucratic delays and corruption among court officials, SaharaReporters has revealed.
Emeh was originally arrested for allegedly exposing police misconduct, which included extortion, abduction, murder, and organ harvesting, reportedly carried out by officers in the Rapid Response Squad Annex, Akwuzu. The allegations were first publicized on the popular blog “Gistlover,” which accused a police officer, Patrick Agbazue, of orchestrating these criminal activities.
Following his arrest, Emeh was charged with 12 offenses by the police, including possession of firearms, money laundering, defamation, and the unlawful transfer of ₦47 million from one account to another. Emeh, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the time, has repeatedly denied these allegations.
On May 17, 2023, Justice F.O. Riman granted Emeh bail, setting conditions that included a ₦50 million bond and two sureties. However, despite meeting these conditions, Emeh remains in custody. According to sources, his release warrant was signed on May 15, 2024, but corrupt officials in the Federal High Court in Awka, allegedly under police influence, have hindered the processing of his release.
Family members claim that court personnel, specifically Deputy Chief Registrar Nkem Mba, demanded a bribe of ₦1 million to expedite his bail. When the family refused to pay, Emeh’s release process was reportedly stalled. In a petition dated October 3, 2023, Emeh’s lawyer, Justus Ijeoma, accused Mba of unprofessional conduct and obstruction of justice, urging the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja to intervene.
Since his arrest, Emeh has been moved between various detention facilities. Currently held at Awka prison, he remains in “awaiting trial” status for nearly two years. Meanwhile, the police officers implicated in the organ trafficking ring he exposed have reportedly not faced any significant consequences.
From a family source, expressed frustration: “He met all the bail conditions, yet they refuse to release him. They keep transferring him from one prison to another, while the officers he exposed walk free.”
The case has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who are calling for an independent investigation into the alleged corruption within the judicial process and the treatment of whistleblowers in Nigeria. Emeh’s legal team continues to push for his release and has appealed to the judiciary to uphold the rule of law.
Emeh’s case highlights ongoing issues in Nigeria’s legal system, where whistleblowers who expose corruption are often punished, while those implicated in serious crimes evade justice. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for whistleblower protection in the country.
As of now, the young whistleblower remains behind bars, and the legal battles surrounding his detention continue. Human rights groups have urged authorities to investigate the claims of bribery and to ensure that Emeh receives a fair trial.
