A court in Karnataka has directed immigration authorities to deport two Nigerian nationals accused of remaining in the country for over a decade without valid travel documents.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the Karnataka High Court instructed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office to commence the deportation process for Emeka Iwoba, also known as Austin Noso Iwoba, and Uderike Fidelis.
The duo were arrested in 2024 by police in Bengaluru over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, including the distribution of the synthetic drug 3,4 -Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cocaine.
During court proceedings, the defendants argued that security operatives failed to properly inform them of the reasons for their arrest at the time they were taken into custody.
In its ruling, the court ordered their release, emphasising that authorities must comply with the constitutional requirement to disclose the grounds of arrest to suspects.
The court described the provision as a fundamental constitutional safeguard rather than a mere procedural step, stressing that the protection enshrined in Article 22 of the Constitution of India applies to everyone within the country’s jurisdiction, including foreign nationals.
According to the court, the guarantee is centred on individuals rather than citizenship, meaning it protects all persons regardless of their nationality.
After ordering their release, the court directed the immigration authorities to initiate their deportation in line with the Federal Government’s standard operating procedures guiding the withdrawal of prosecution and repatriation of foreign nationals.