Court Orders Abba Kyari, Co-Defendants to Open Defence in Drug Trafficking Trial
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants to open their defence in the ongoing drug trafficking case instituted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The ruling, delivered on Friday, April 11, came after the court dismissed a series of no-case submissions filed by the defendants. Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Kyari and his co-accused, warranting their defence.
Kyari, the former Head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was arrested on February 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted for alleged involvement with an international drug cartel.
He is currently facing trial alongside four other police officers—ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu. They are accused of conspiracy to traffic 17.55kg of cocaine, unlawful drug dealings, and tampering with evidence.
The group was arraigned on March 7, 2022, alongside two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. While Kyari and the four officers pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne admitted guilt and were subsequently convicted.
After the NDLEA closed its case, the defence filed no-case submissions, claiming the evidence presented could not secure a conviction. However, in five separate rulings, Justice Nwite dismissed their arguments.
“Even assuming, without conceding, that the quantity of cocaine was either less or more than 17.55kg, there is still prima facie evidence indicating the 1st defendant dealt with or tampered with cocaine,” the judge stated in his ruling on Kyari’s application.
The case has been adjourned to May 21, 2025, for the defendants to begin their defence.
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