Drug Trafficking: Abba Kyari Pleads Not Guilty, Begs Court Not To Transfer Him To Prison

The suspended commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari has pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charge instituted against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Abba Kyari Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Trafficking

KanyiDaily recalls that he NDLEA had arraigned Kyari and six others defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences.

Four of the six other defendants are members of the police intelligence response team — Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.

The two others are alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

When the eight-count charges were read to the defendants on Monday, two of the defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty to the offences, but Kyari and the officers denied the offences.

Kyari, through his lawyer, Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court to allow him to remain in the NDLEA custody pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.

In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial till next Monday to hear the bail application of the defendants, and ordered that they should be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA.

KanyiDaily recalls that the court had previously dismissed a request by Abba Kyari for the NDLEA to grant him bail on health grounds, pending the hearing and determination of his fundamental right enforcement application.

Last week, the Nigerian Government had also approved the request by the United States of America for the extradition of DCP Abba Kyari over his alleged role in a $1.1millon scam allegedly perpetrated by suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.