The Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday, adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Emeh, the Anambra State whistleblower’s case to October 27, 2026.

Emeh, an Information Technology specialist, who has been in detention, is facing trial over his publication of a report alleging the existence of extrajudicial killings and organ-harvesting syndicate within the Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State.

He was serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corps attached to the Anambra State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad when he became linked to a series of exclusive online disclosures published anonymously in early 2023.

The reports alleged the existence of a criminal network involving senior police officers in Anambra State, accusing them of operating an organ trafficking syndicate, carrying out extrajudicial killings of detainees, and engaging in widespread extortion and kidnapping.

Following the disclosures, the Nigeria Police Force declared Emeh wanted on February 20, 2023.

Fearing for his safety, Emeh fled to the Republic of Benin.

However, on March 3, 2023, he was arrested in Benin and brought back to Nigeria.

Although, the court has granted him bail since May 2023, he has remained in prison.

However, at the Federal High Court 1, Awka, on Tuesday, where the case could have resumed, the case was stood down among other criminal cases by the court, for some pre-election matters.

Counsel for Emeh, Justus Ijeoma, a known human right activist in Anambra State, said he was informed by the court registry upon arriving at the court premises, that only pre-election matters would be heard because they are time-sensitive, hence the adjournment of the case to October 27, 2026.

Ijeomah said, “As you can see we are all here in the court today for continuation of proceedings in the case, you can equally see the father of the accused, the Prof. John Emeh. But we were given a date by the court for the hearing to continue on October 27, 2026.”

Asked why the suspect Emeh, has not been freed after his bail has been granted since 2023, Ijeomah said, “Yes, of course, Nnamdi Emeh was granted bail by the court on the 17th day of May 2023, following our application for bail that was argued before the former court, and the court in its wisdom admitted him to bail.

“However, we remain optimistic that Nnamdi will regain his freedom. We are not making a fresh application because the order admitting him to bail is still subsisting. It is for us to perfect the bail, and he will regain his freedom.

“Indeed the process of perfecting the bail commenced at a time where upon we experienced a whole lot of human bottlenecks, in the process of perfecting the bail.

“However, at the end of the day, the issue came up before the court and the court directed that the process be commenced afresh since there has been a bit of controversy around the process, which was already concluded and the process has recommenced. That is what is delaying Nnamdi’s release.

Nnamdi’s father said the continued detention of his son, who has been granted bail since 2023, has been devastating to both him and his wife.

“Nnamdi is our only child, the latest adjournment further speaks to the justice system we have in Nigeria. We are watching and very optimistic that he will get justice,” Emeh added.