Alleged cocaine deal: Court issues orders in suspended DCP Abba Kyari’s case
Alleged cocaine deal: Court issues orders in suspended DCP Abba Kyari’s case
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, ordered the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants to enter their defence in the charge preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings on their no-case submission applications, held that a prima face case had been made out against Kyari and other police officers in the charge.
Kyari, the 1st defendant and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police was arrested on Feb. 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links to an international drug cartel.
The suspended DCP and four members of the IRT – ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu are being prosecuted on charges of conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine.
They are also accused of dealing in cocaine without lawful authority; conspiracy to tamper with cocaine and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers.
On March 7, 2022, Kyari and others were arraigned alongside Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, the two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu by the officers.
Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty.
However, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the 6th and 7th defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly.
Although Kyari and others had, at one time, applied for bail, their application was rejected.
After the NDLEA closed its case, each of the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that no evidence had been adduced by the prosecution on which the court could convict them.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite held that with the state of evidence led so far by the prosecution, he was convinced that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants to require them to put forward their defence.
Justice Nwite held the same view in the five separate rulings he delivered on Friday.
In a ruling on Kyari’s application, the judge held that “assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with less amount of cocaine that is lesser than 17.55 kg or more than that, it does not take away the fact that there is prima facie evidence that the 1st defendant dealt or tampered with cocaine.”
He held that the argument of the 1st defendant’s lawyer on the need to sufficiently prove the amount of cocaine on the face of the charge is not the requirement of the law.
He also held that there was nothing on the face of the section of the law, on which the defendants were charged, that states or provide different punishment as it relates to the quantity or amount of cocaine, whether the charge provides for 1 kilogram or more.
According to the judge, in view of the foregoing, I am of the view and I so hold that a prima facie case has been made out against the 1st defendant in the five count charge and I hereby order him to enter his defence in all the five counts.
The judge issued similar order in relation to the other four defendants.
He consequently adjourned the matter untill May 21 for the defendants to open their defence.(NAN
News
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
News
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
News
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Two additional lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as calls for restraint within the legislature continue to grow.
The legislators, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their position known on Wednesday, barely 48 hours after two other members of the House publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment effort.
Earlier on Monday, Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo and Peter Abbey had broken ranks with the Assembly leadership, urging lawmakers to approach the unfolding crisis with caution, dialogue, and a spirit of compromise rather than confrontation.
The dissenting lawmakers argued that impeachment should not be the first option in resolving disagreements between the executive and legislative arms, suggesting that alternative mechanisms could help de-escalate tensions and open the door to reconciliation.
The appeal was delivered during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where the lawmakers said pressure was mounting from political leaders and stakeholders within and outside Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma Constituency, disclosed that several interventions had been made by respected figures calling for moderation and restraint.
He urged his colleagues to suspend the impeachment process and give room for dialogue in the interest of political stability in the state.
Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency, acknowledged allegations that the governor may have breached constitutional provisions but cautioned against an irreversible step such as impeachment.
He noted that while errors may have occurred, the focus should be on corrective measures and ensuring that any identified lapses are not repeated going forward.
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