Court Drama as Abba Kyari Accuses NDLEA in Drug Case

Court Drama as Abba Kyari Accuses NDLEA in Drug Case

There was drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja as suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, accused operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of aiding drug traffickers, while tendering a video to support his claims.

Kyari, who is facing trial over alleged drug-related offences, is being prosecuted alongside other members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), including Sunday Ubua, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu. Another officer, John Umoru, is said to be at large.

The case is connected to an earlier prosecution by the NDLEA involving two convicted drug traffickers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who were arrested in 2022 and later sentenced after pleading guilty.

At the resumed hearing, a defence witness from the Force Headquarters, El-John Nwoke, told the court how the suspects were arrested at the Enugu Airport with 21.55 kilograms of cocaine.

Led in evidence by defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness testified that the convicted traffickers claimed they had been operating under the protection of NDLEA officials prior to their arrest.

According to him, the suspects expressed surprise when they were intercepted by police, insisting they had already been cleared by NDLEA operatives on the day of the incident.

In further proceedings, the court admitted a 27-minute video recorded on January 20, 2022, in which one of the convicts allegedly admitted knowledge of the illicit consignment.

“I am aware it was cocaine… this is the second time I am carrying cocaine,” the suspect, identified as Ezenwanne, was heard saying in the video.

He also claimed that airport officials often did not subject them to thorough checks, allegedly because they were familiar with their movements.

Presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, subsequently adjourned the case to May 20 and 21 for continuation of trial.

Kyari, who has been at the centre of multiple legal battles, was recently discharged and acquitted alongside his two brothers in a separate case involving alleged false asset declaration.