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On Monday, the disgraced Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is charged with narcotics trafficking, pleaded shamelessly with the Federal High Court in Abuja not to remand him in jail custody.
After being detained by the NDLEA for illicit drug trafficking, among other things, the former super cop, who is known for arresting criminals, is now contesting a drug trafficking allegation in court.
When he declined the anti-drug agency’s invitation, he was labelled sought by the anti-drug agency weeks ago.
He was eventually apprehended by the Nigerian police and transported to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for additional questioning. Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN, Kyari’s counsel, asked the court to allow him to remain in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA until the hearing and decision on his new bail application.
After pleading not guilty to an eight-count indictment brought by the NDLEA against him and six others, the embattled DCP, who previously supervised the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, made the motion.
According to the Vanguard Newspaper, he was arrested alongside four other police officers, ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba, and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
While Kyari and his police co-defendants, who were clothed in blue local garb, pleaded not guilty to the accusation, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the claims levelled against them.
While noting that the indictment against the Defendants constituted bailable offences, Agabi, SAN urged the court to reject the motion for facts in the cases of Umeibe and Ezenwanne.
Agabi, SAN, argued that reviewing the facts of the case and reaching a conclusion while the trial is still ongoing would be harmful to his client. He also mentioned examples in which defendants pleaded guilty to a charge against them due to their ignorance.
“Reviewing the facts while the trial is still proceeding is not in the interest of justice,” he continued.
Both Umeibe and Ezenwanne were referenced in some counts in the complaint against Kyari and the others, he said.
Mr Sunday, the prosecutor’s lawyer, insisted that revisiting the facts of the case would not harm DCP Kyari and the others.
“My lord, this type of application by the defence undermines the court’s capacity.”
“This case will be decided based on the evidence presented to the court.” I don’t understand how the first through fifth defendants will be biassed because they will be confronted with evidence against them.”
“It is proper to dismiss the action against the 6th and 7th defendants.”
“It will be unreasonable and unfair to keep the two Defendants in detention while the other defendants’ trials are completed.”
“They should be found guilty so that they may begin serving their sentences,” the prosecution noted.
After hearing both sides’ oral arguments, trial Justice Nwite said the parties should formally address the court on the subject the following Monday.
Soon, there will be more information.
Olajide B.O.Y. reporting
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