Nigerian granted bail after seven years in Indian prison

An Indian court has granted conditional bail to a Nigerian man, Ifeanyi Obi, who has been kept in custody over a drug case for seven years.

The Bombay High Court at Goa stated that Obi, also known as Alex, could no longer be held behind bars for undue reasons after October 29, 2019.

A Thursday report by an Indian media platform, Goemkarponn, stated that the Nigerian was linked with an alleged seizure of contraband worth several crores (hundreds of millions of naira).

The court disclosed that only seven of the 30 listed witnesses had come forward to testify, adding that the trial had passed a five-month completion deadline scheduled for May 10, 2026.

“The accused cannot be kept behind bars for an inordinate period of time by taking refuge in rigours laid down in Section 37 of the NDPS Act,” the court stated.

It further opined that the continued incarceration of Obi breached his fundamental right to life and personal liberty since the delays in the trial were not attributed to him.

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According to the prosecution, police had recovered Rs 2 lakh in cash (approximately N2.7m) and eight packets containing 1,021 grammes of cocaine, 2,035 grammes of MDMA, 760 grammes of amphetamine, 106 grammes of charas and 1,270 grammes of ganja from Obi’s rented premises at Candolim.

“The seized substances were produced before a magistrate for inventory proceedings, while the CFSL report subsequently confirmed them as contraband. A charge sheet was filed, and the trial is pending before the Additional Sessions Judge at Merces,” it said.

While Obi’s counsel objected to his prolonged detention due to the delay and called for bail, the prosecution opposed the plea and attributed part of the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic and the delayed receipt of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory report from Pune.

It also brought to the court’s notice that Obi had earlier been convicted in connection with an overstay offence.

The court noted the prosecution’s concerns but affirmed that the accused be granted bail.

“The court directed Obi to furnish a bond of Rs 1 lakh with one like surety. His release is subject to production of a valid passport and visa, registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Goa, and disclosure of his residential address and source of funds,” the report added.