Cocaine deal: Abba Kyari, others arraigned in court as two co-defendants plead guilty
08 March 2022 |
2:46 am
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, arraigned suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) Abba Kyari and six others before Justice Emeka Nwite
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, arraigned suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) Abba Kyari and six others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an eight-count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy and drug trafficking.
When the charge in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/57/2022, was read to the accused, DCP Abba Kyari; Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sunday Ubia; ASP James Bawa; Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu, all suspended police officers pleaded not guilty to the charge, while two other co-defendants, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alfonsus Ezenwanne pleaded guilty.
In the charge, NDLEA accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilogrammes.
They were also accused of tampering with 21.25kg of cocaine unlawfully.
The accused had arrived at the Federal High Court premises under heavy security by NDLEA Strike Force officers.
The agency’s director of prosecution and legal services, Sunday Nbone Joseph led the five-member prosecution team, while Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) led 13 other lawyers to represent Kyari and Ubia.
ASP James Bawa had Michael Mbanefo and Mariam Osene as counsel, while M.Y Chiara and two others represented Agirigba and Nuhu, with E.U. Okenyi appearing for Umeibe and Ezenwanne.
After the accused took their pleas, Chief Agabi told the court that he had filed bail applications for the 1st and 2nd defendants since Tuesday, March 1, 2022, a bid opposed by the prosecution with a counter application.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite, said he was yet to get the prosecution’s counter application and adjourned further hearing on bail to Monday 14, March.
But the defence counsel urged the judge to remand the defendants in NDLEA custody instead of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, a request the prosecution said would not be objected to on the ground that the defendants will be responsible for their own upkeep.
The defence counsel expressed fear that the review of facts against the 6th and 7th defendants, who pleaded guilty will prejudice the case and therefore urged that the court put the review on hold pending the conclusion of the trial of the 1st to 5th defendants.
NDLEA’s counsel, however, opposed the plea citing an existing judgment.
He urged that the court should proceed with the sentencing of the 6th and 7th defendants, since they had pleaded guilty, adding that it will be totally unfair to keep them in prison pending the trial of the 1st to 5th defendants.
In all, five bail applications were filed for the 1st to the 5th defendants, while the 8th defendant, who is also a police officer, is still at large.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case till March 28. 2022 for a review of facts and hearing of the case, while all respondents are to be remanded in NDLEA facility pending the hearing of the bail application on Monday, March 14.
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