The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has stated that it played no role in the arrest and forced repatriation of Nigerian whistleblower, Nnamdi Daniel Emeh, contradicting widespread claims that its Red Notice system was used in the process.
According to ObservatoryNG, Emeh was apprehended in the Republic of Benin in March 2023 and returned to Nigeria, where he has remained in detention.
The clarification was contained in an email response to the Nigeria Observatory for Human Rights (NOHR), following widespread claims by civil society groups and sections of the media that an INTERPOL Red Notice facilitated Emeh’s arrest.
“Mr. Nnamdi is not known in INTERPOL’s databases and no Red Notice or wanted persons diffusion has been issued for him,” the organisation stated.
INTERPOL further outlined the limits of its authority, stressing that it does not have the power to arrest or extradite individuals, nor can it direct member countries to carry out such actions.
“Any arrests in an INTERPOL member country are made by national law enforcement authorities in accordance with national laws,” the statement added.
The organisation also clarified that National Central Bureaus often referred to as “INTERPOL Nigeria” or “INTERPOL Benin” are operated by national authorities, and all actions taken by them are governed strictly by domestic laws.
Emeh, an IT consultant, reportedly worked with the Anambra State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. In early 2023, he was alleged to be the source of disclosures published on Gistlover, an anonymous blog that reported allegations of human rights abuses within the Anambra State Police Command.
The allegations included claims of organ harvesting, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and corruption, implicating senior officers.
Instead of investigating the claims, rights groups allege that authorities launched a coordinated effort to identify and silence the source. Fearing for his safety, Emeh fled to the Republic of Benin, where he was later arrested and returned to Nigeria under controversial circumstances.
INTERPOL’s denial has now raised fresh concerns over the legality of Emeh’s cross-border arrest and repatriation, with questions mounting over which authorities coordinated the operation and under what legal framework it was carried out. #Securitynewsalert.com
