Nigerian Drug Suspect Gets Bail After Seven Years in Indian Custody

An Indian court has granted conditional bail to a Nigerian man, Ifeanyi Obi, also known as Alex, after he spent seven years in custody over an alleged drug-related case.

The Bombay High Court in Goa ruled that Obi could no longer be kept in prison indefinitely, noting that he had been in custody since October 29, 2019, while his trial remained incomplete.

According to Indian media outlet Goemkarponn, the case involved the alleged seizure of several illegal substances from Obi’s rented residence in Candolim. Police reportedly recovered Rs 200,000 in cash, along with 1,021 grams of cocaine, 2,035 grams of MDMA, 760 grams of amphetamine, 106 grams of charas and 1,270 grams of ganja.

The court noted that only seven of the 30 prosecution witnesses had testified, while the trial had exceeded a five-month deadline that was expected to end on May 10, 2026.

The court held that the accused could not be detained for an excessive period by relying on the strict bail provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. It also said that continued detention violated Obi’s fundamental right to life and personal liberty because the delays were not attributed to him.

The prosecution had opposed the bail application, citing delays caused partly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the late receipt of a forensic laboratory report from Pune. Prosecutors also informed the court that Obi had previously been convicted over an overstaying offence.

Despite these concerns, the court granted him conditional bail.

Obi was ordered to provide a Rs 100,000 bond with one surety. His release is subject to the presentation of a valid passport and visa, registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Goa, disclosure of his residential address and declaration of his source of funds.

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