*Substantive Drug Case On Course, Says NDLEA
THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed that its substantive drug case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, was proceeding as planned and scheduled for continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, March 16.
This clarification followed Kyari’s recent discharge and acquittal by Justice James Omotosho on a separate 23-count charge related to alleged non-declaration of assets.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, ina statement, said the ruling was a completely different matter from the drug case against Kyari, which is substantive drug case.
Babafemi explained that the drug case against Kyari was still active, adding: “That one is very much on course. The case determined by Justice Omotosho is a different case of money laundering and non-declaration of assets.
“The prosecution team has been directed to apply for the CTC of the judgment, the details of which will help the management make a decision on what to do next.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command, said on Thursday that Kyari was still in its custody, despite being discharged in one of the cases against him.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Samson Duza, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Kyari was facing two separate cases, and the recent court decision only affected the charge on alleged wrongful declaration of assets, noting: “He is having two cases. One for wrongful declaration of assets and the other for a drug-related offence.
“The one for wrongful declaration of assets is the one he was discharged for lack of merit or evidence.”
Duza clarified that Kyari remained in custody because the second case involving alleged drug offences still before another court, adding: “The ongoing drug-related trial has not been concluded, and as such, Kyari would continue to remain in the custody of the NCoS, pending the outcome of the proceedings.”
Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is facing trial over allegations linking him to drug trafficking activities.
