The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has taken into custody a Nigerian national who was arrested and detained more than two years ago for involvement in credit card fraud and other cybercrime activities.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) said 26-year-old Emmanuel Obi Nwadkure was apprehended Wednesday, March 9, at the Hall of Justice building in Muntinlupa City.
The Nigerian was attending the hearing of his case at the Muntinlupa City regional trial court when he was taken by the Immigration officials.
FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy explained the BI had to take custody of the Nigerian to ensure that he does not hide nor evade prosecution while the criminal case against him is being tried.
Sy disclosed that the alien was earlier allowed to post bail by the court, thus, he was released from the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
He said that under existing rules, foreigners with pending criminal cases who are released on bail are supposed to be transferred to the BI as subjects of deportation proceedings.
It was learned, however, that Nwadkure remains on the immigration hold departure list as the hold departure order issued against him by the court has not been lifted.
Records show that the Nigerian, who is an overstaying alien, was arrested on Sept. 8, 2020 by agents of the anti-cyber crime unit of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for violating the Access Devices Regulation Act.
He is now detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.