The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the accelerated hearing of the ongoing cocaine-related trial involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive on Tuesday as Kyari and the other defendants resumed their defence after proceedings had earlier been adjourned indefinitely. The case was put on hold in May following Justice Nwite’s recommendation for elevation to the Court of Appeal. The National Judicial Council had forwarded his name, alongside those of 11 other High Court judges, to President Bola Tinubu for appointment to the appellate court. (Trending News)
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sunday Joseph, said all parties had agreed that the trial should continue pending the President’s decision on the judge’s elevation.
However, A. Akkas, who held brief for Kyari’s lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, requested an adjournment. He told the court that the defence needed time to review new evidence and arrange for the appearance of Inspector El-John Nwonke, the second defence witness, who was said to be outside the country on official duty.
Other defence lawyers did not oppose the need for an expedited determination of the case. Counsel for the fifth defendant, Leke Atalogbe, noted that the defendants remained in custody and had not been granted bail. (The Shield Online NG)
Justice Nwite subsequently directed that the trial should proceed on a day-to-day basis until its conclusion, stressing the need for the matter to be determined without further delay.
The judge, however, granted the defence’s request for more time and adjourned the case until 5 October 2026 for continuation of the defence proceedings. (Trending News)
Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is standing trial alongside four other suspended police officers: ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu.
The NDLEA accused the officers of conspiracy and obstruction in connection with the alleged illegal dealing in and importation of cocaine involving Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were originally listed as defendants in the case and were later convicted after pleading guilty.
Earlier in the trial, the court admitted a video recording tendered through Inspector Nwonke as Exhibit D-3. The evidence reportedly contained confessional statements attributed to Umeibe and Ezenwanne and formed part of the material being considered as the defence presents its case. (The Shield Online NG)
The allegations against Kyari and the other police officers remain subject to determination by the court.
