PUNE: A Nigerian national, Onorouyi Nemooye (37), released from jail after serving a three-year sentence following his conviction in 2018 in a cheating case, is staying under restrictive orders on the premises of the Faraskhana police station for the last two months.
“His passport had lapsed around the time he was released from jail,” said senior inspector Rajendra Landge of the Faraskhana police. “He has yet to get his passport renewed and the Nigerian high commission is yet to issue the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC),” said Landge.
According to Landge, the Pune police had arrested Nemooye on August 18, 2018, from Delhi for cheating a city-based man by promising him foreign currency at a cheaper rate. “A a local court sentenced him to three years in jail. He was released in September after he completed his jail term,” said Landge.
Nemooye told TOI, “When I came out of the prison, there were no flights to Nigeria. I was placed under restrictive orders and my passport had lapsed. I cannot move out of the police station. I sleep, eat and drink in the police station. The authorities of both countries should help me.”
Nemooye said he came to India on a business visa from Nigeria. “I landed in Delhi and met my countrymates there. I wanted to do garment business,” he said. “I was staying in Delhi when suddenly the police from Pune came and arrested me. My friends managed to run away,” he said. “My family members are poor and cannot arrange for my air tickets. My friends are collecting money to buy a ticket for me,” he said.
A senior officer with the Special Branch said, “We have written to the Nigerian high commission. However, they are yet to process the ETC and his passport.” When asked if more such foreigners were staying at police city stations with restrictive orders, the SB officer said, “As of now, he is the only one”.
