A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the Federal High Court in Anambra State to honour an earlier release order for whistleblower Nnamdi Emeh and respect his fundamental rights. Emeh is scheduled to appear before the court on Tuesday as he stands accused of fraud, money laundering, impersonating a police officer, unlawful possession of a firearm and defamation.
The police first arrested him on March 6, 2023, in Benin Republic, where he fled upon learning of an arrest warrant against him. Emeh had worked as an IT staff member with the police and shared information on organ trafficking, which he said he witnessed. On May 17, 2023, the court granted him bail, but he was not released. He has continued to spend time in jail while enduring multiple adjournments.
The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), Blueprint for Free Speech and 14 other CSOs signed the July 14 statement calling for Emeh’s release.
Calling for immediate action concerning the prolonged detention and continuously delayed trial of Anambra whistleblower Nnamdi Emeh, the group said: “Emeh’s case raises serious concerns regarding rights to fair trial and due process, as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. Despite being granted bail and the conditions clearly being set, the whistleblower has remained in detention facing physical attacks and alleged assassination attempts, according to his father, Professor John Emeh, while his trial has been delayed multiple times. Today’s hearing must ensure the full protections of the presumption of innocence and other fair trial rights.
“The continued detention of a whistleblower despite repeated court orders for his release raises profound concerns about the respect of the rule of law in Nigeria. When individuals who disclose information of significant public interest are deprived of their liberty instead of being protected, it sends a chilling message to all those who seek to expose corruption, serious human rights violations and abuse of power.
“The years-long delay of Nnamdi Emeh’s trial and the refusal to release him after being granted bail appear to contravene Nigerian constitutional protections of the right to personal liberty and the right to a fair hearing. The failure to release him on bail is in clear violation of an order of the Federal High Court, which granted him bail pending trial on 17 May 2023. The Inspector General of Police attempted to revoke this bail order on 9 July 2024, but again, this was rejected. Nearly two years later, Nnamdi Emeh is still in detention,” the statement adds.
The CSOs are asking the court and Nigerian authorities to ensure the immediate release of Nnamdi Emeh from detention in conformity with the court order for his release; immediately protect and uphold Nnamdi Emeh’s fair trial and defence rights; guarantee the safety and rights of Nnamdi Emeh; conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of attacks, threats and attempted assassinations against Nnamdi Emeh and ensure that anyone responsible is held accountable; comply with international standards regarding whistleblower protection; and adopt comprehensive whistleblower protection legislation aligned with international standards, providing effective safeguards against retaliation, secure reporting channels and appropriate remedies for individuals who disclose information in the public interest
“The decision of the Inspector General of Police to establish an official investigative panel following these disclosures demonstrates that the allegations raised concerned matters of significant public interest. Individuals who disclose information revealing alleged corruption, serious human rights violations or criminal conduct should be protected from retaliation rather than subjected to prosecution or prolonged detention.”
The signatories include African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CIPE), 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth & Women Initiative (CCEYWI), Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), Social Justice Advocacy Initiative (SJAI), Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), The Signals Network, Centre for Free Expression, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Accountability Lab and Step Up Nigeria
