A CORRESPONDENT
KHERONI: The Gauhati High Court has issued a significant order addressing the prolonged illegal detention of Kamardeen Oaladeji Oladimeji, a Nigerian citizen held at the Matia Transit Camp in Goalpara, for 1457 days. The court’s directive, issued on May 9, in the case WP(C)/2207/2025, urges swift action to facilitate Oladimeji’s repatriation to Nigeria, warning of potential unconditional release if authorities fail to act promptly.
Oladimeji was detained on November 12, 2020, for entering India without valid travel documents. On August 18, 2021, he was convicted by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (II), Karimganj (now Sribhumi), for offences under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950. He was sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 2,000 for each offence. Having served his sentence by May 13, 2021, Oladimeji’s continued detention was deemed illegal by the court, as he had remained in custody without legal basis for nearly four years.
The court, presided over by Justices Kalyan Rai Surana and Malasri Nandi, heard arguments from Oladimeji’s counsel, D.K. Agarwala, who highlighted that the Nigerian Embassy could issue an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) or other travel documents following an online interview. The court ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs, government of India, to coordinate with the Nigerian Embassy to facilitate Oladimeji’s return to his home country within seven days. If unsuccessful, the Superintendent of the Matia Transit Camp is directed to arrange a video conference between Oladimeji and Nigerian Embassy officials to expedite the issuance of travel documents.
The Assam Home & Political (B) Department is tasked with arranging Oladimeji’s transportation from the Matia Transit Camp to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati, ensuring coordination for his onwards travel to Nigeria via New Delhi or another international airport. The court clarified that Oladimeji must arrange his travel expenses independently.
The court expressed concern over the prolonged illegal detention, noting that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe could lead to Oladimeji’s unconditional release, with responsibility falling on the authorities. The case is scheduled for further hearing on May 30, 2025.
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