SaharaReporters had reported that 26-year-old Nnamdi, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and an Information Technology (IT) consultant to the Anambra State Police Command who has been in detention at the police force headquarters in Abuja since March 3, 2023 after he was arrested in Benin Republic was moved to Anambra State.
The Nigerian Police Force must release Emeh Nnamdi or immediately charge him to court if he is found to have committed any crime, a coalition of civil societies has said.
SaharaReporters had reported that 26-year-old Nnamdi, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and an Information Technology (IT) consultant to the Anambra State Police Command who has been in detention at the police force headquarters in Abuja since March 3, 2023 after he was arrested in Benin Republic was moved to Anambra State.
Emeh was arrested for revealing shocking details about police extortion, torture, extrajudicial executions, and organ harvesting by senior police officers in Anambra state, which has been known for its notoriety extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearance of suspects in custody.
In a statement issued on Monday after the coalition revealed that Emeh, who was transferred to Anambra State Police Command on Sunday April 2, 2023, is currently facing further interrogation.
The group who raised an alarm over the safety and wellbeing of Emeh, revealed that among his interrogators in Anambra State are senior police officers whom he had indicted for seizing posh vehicles recovered from criminal suspects who were later executed in police custody.
The coalition said such "offends the principle of natural justice, which espouses that one should not be a judge in one’s own case."
They insisted that he should either be released or charge to court for a recognised offence immediately.
The statement which was made available to SaharaReporters was signed by NOPRIN Foundation, Elixir Trust Foundation, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Avocats Sans Frontieres France (ASF France - Lawyers without Borders), Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF),
Others are "Sterling Law Centre, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Access To Justice, Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre (RULAAC)" among others.
The coalition stated, "We believe that Emeh Nnamdi could be at risk of ill-treatment or extra-judicial execution if he is not released or charged to court immediately.
"We believe that whistleblowers are vital for a transparent society. When exercising the right to inform and be informed and the right of people to the truth, whistleblowers play a crucial part. They are essential to awakening informed debate within public opinion, crucial to opening up investigation by journalists, and necessary for questioning decision-makers.
"Whistleblowers are a vital link in the promotion of human rights, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, social justice and the fight against corruption."
The statement added, "Therefore, we are calling on the Nigerian police to: Immediately release and drop the charges against Mr. Emeh Nnamdi or charge him to court with a recognisable offence
.
"The police authorities must end the intimidation, harassment and attacks on Mr Emeh, his family and friends.
"Ensure that the report of panel set up by the police authorities to investigate the allegation against top police officers in Anambra State is released promptly and everybody indited prosecuted according to the law."
Meanwhile, a police source told SaharaReporters that Emeh also indicted the Anambra Commissioner of Police.
According to the source, "he mentioned three cars which the CP is currently using which were seized from suspects that were later executed in police custody."
The source added, "He (Emeh) had earlier explained to his interrogators at Abuja how CSP Patrick Agbazue instructed him to transfer the money to his account from a suspect account and withdraw the money in cash which was handed over to him after exchanging it to dollars. So they are not even interested in investigating the killings and organ harvesting but merely looking for any evidence to nail him."