The Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru has ordered the deportation of two Nigerians for overstaying in India for over 10 years without visas.
According to the Indian Express, the court, on Thursday, asked the immigration agency, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, to extradite Emeka Iwoba and Uderike Fidelis.
Iwoba, also known as Austin Noso Iwoba, and Fidelis, were apprehended in 2024 by the Bengaluru police on charges of peddling drugs known as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and cocaine.
They accused the Indian authorities of not informing them of the grounds of arrest.
However, the court ordered their release, saying, “It is a mandatory constitutional safeguard and not a procedural formality.
“The constitutional protection under Article 22 extends to all persons within India, including foreign nationals, as it is not citizen-centric but person-centric,” the High Court said.
The court asked FRRO to take further action in terms of the Standard Operating Procedure for withdrawal of prosecution and consequent deportation of both of them.
By: Biodun Busari
