Pune Court Refuses Bail to Nigerian Man Accused in Fatal Attack on Fellow Nigerian

A court in Pune, India, has declined to grant bail to a 48-year-old Nigerian man facing accusations that he killed a fellow Nigerian during an argument involving a woman. Additional Sessions Judge S D Kulkarni rejected the bail request of Nnaemeka Maduabuchi Onyia last week, stating that investigators had collected enough material connecting him to the alleged crime, according to a Friday report by The Times of India. The court also expressed concern that Onyia might leave India if released. Onyia was taken into custody on January 12 after authorities registered a case at Kalepadal police station. The charges were filed under sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 4(25) of the Arms Act, and Sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Police later submitted a charge sheet in the matter, though the bail application was reviewed before any prosecution witness had given testimony. The case stems from the death of 40-year-old Emeka Christian Orji, who was fatally stabbed in Pune on January 12, 2026, according to earlier reports. Police said he was assaulted during a disagreement at the flat of a Nigerian woman in Pisoli in the early hours of January 12. According to police, the dispute was connected to a romantic relationship involving the woman. Christian was transported to Ruby Hall Clinic for care after the reported attack, but he later died while being treated. Officers subsequently registered a murder case against three Nigerian nationals. Onyia and a second suspect were arrested, while the third accused person remained at large, the prosecution said. In turning down bail, the judge observed that Onyia had been identified in the first information report as one of the alleged attackers. The court also pointed to witness statements claiming that Onyia retrieved a sharp weapon from the kitchen, pursued Christian, and struck him in vital areas. The judge additionally reviewed medical records showing that Christian had sustained multiple chop wounds, and took into account the informant's statement about something Christian reportedly said before his death. Given the gravity of the alleged offence, the evidence presented against Onyia, and the risk that he could flee to Nigeria, the court concluded that he should remain in custody rather than be granted bail.