The Karnataka High Court has ordered the deportation of two Nigerian nationals who allegedly stayed in India for more than a decade without valid visas.

In a ruling issued on Thursday, the court directed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to begin deportation procedures against Emeka Iwoba, also known as Austin Noso Iwoba, and Uderike Fidelis.

The two men were arrested in 2024 by police in Bengaluru on allegations of trafficking narcotics, including the synthetic drug 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cocaine.

During court proceedings, the suspects argued that police failed to properly inform them of the reasons for their arrest.

In its judgment, the court ordered their release from custody, emphasizing that authorities are constitutionally required to disclose the grounds of arrest.

“The requirement is a fundamental constitutional safeguard and not merely a procedural formality,” the court stated, adding that the protection under Article 22 of the Constitution of India extends to everyone within the country’s jurisdiction, including foreign nationals.

The court further explained that the constitutional protection is person-centric rather than citizen-centric, meaning it applies to all individuals regardless of nationality.

Following their release, the court directed the FRRO to carry out their deportation in line with the government’s Standard Operating Procedure for the withdrawal of prosecution.