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Tag: NDLEA

  • #EndSARS panel orders for Abba Kyari in human rights violations case

    #EndSARS panel orders for Abba Kyari in human rights violations case

    An Independent Investigation Panel on Friday ordered the Chairman, National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa to produce suspended DCP Abba Kyari on March 22.

    The panel also ordered the new Commandant of the IGP-IRT, Tunde Dirsu to do the needful to ensure that Kyari is produced before the panel on the aforesaid date.

    The panel is investigating allegations of human rights violations by the disbanded special anti-robbery squad and other Units of the Nigeria Police

    Mr John Martins, representing the Chairman of the panel, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima said that the presence of Kyari before the panel was necessary owing to the fact that a petitioner’s witness had earlier mentioned him.

    “The witness testified that Kyari allegedly promised to reach out to him in respect of the missing persons and till date nothing was heard about them.

    “The above orders are made in respect of three persons who were allegedly arrested and detained by the IGP-IRT detention facility.

    ”The whereabouts of Yakubu Danjuma, Ibrahim Daniel and Choji Dung are still unknown,” he said.

    The order of the panel followed information from the panel’s counsel, Halilu Adamu, that Kyari was in the custody of the NDLEA.

    The Police Counsel, James Idachaba told the panel that the Police can no longer produce Kyari since he was no longer in Police custody, having been suspended.

    The panel had on March 8, 2022 ordered the Office of the Inspector-General of Police to unfailingly produce the aforementioned three victims before it.

    Before the panel’s order, a Federal High Court, FCT sitting in Gudu had ordered for the release of the mentioned persons but till date the order was not carried out.

  • Alleged drug trafficking: 20 lawyers vow to defend Abba Kyari

    Alleged drug trafficking: 20 lawyers vow to defend Abba Kyari

    No fewer than 20 lawyers have indicated interest to defend the suspended DCP Abba Kyari in a suit filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Musa Shafiu, a legal practitioner, told newsmen on Wednesday, on behalf of other lawyers.

    He said the team is made up of four senior advocates of Nigeria who represented Kyari and his co-defendant in the trial which would commence before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “We should recall that DCP Abba Kyari, in a motion filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of Federal High Court sitting in Abuja denied the allegation linking him to an international drug cartel by the NDLEA.

    “He filed the motion to seek for his fundamental rights enforcement.

    “He said he was ready to appear in court to answer any charge against him because the allegation upon which he was arrested and detained is a trump-up allegation without sufficient proof,” Shafiu said.

    The lawyer said the decision to support Kyari, formerly the head of Inspector-General of Police special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was also premised on the sacrifices the suspended DCP had made for the country in the area of security.

    He said Kyari has distinguished himself in areas of serving his father’s land as a police officer, with the arrest of many high profile criminals across the country.

    He said his “good work and dedication to the country is far more than his short coming.”

    NDLEA, through its Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday, had, on Monday, arraigned Kyari, alongside six others, including four suspended officers of IRT, on eight-count charge.

    Kyari, who denied his involvement in counts one, two, three, four and eight of the charges preferred against him, is facing trial on drug-related offences.

    The other four members of the IRT, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, who pleaded not guilty to the counts, include ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu.

    Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, the two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, are defendants who pleaded guilty to the counts levelled against them.

  • 7 operatives injured, vehicle damaged as NDLEA nab Taraba drug baron

    7 operatives injured, vehicle damaged as NDLEA nab Taraba drug baron

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, nabbed a notorious drug baron at Nukai market, along Jalingo-Wukari road in the Taraba state capital, Jalingo, Micha Godwin, during which the anti-narcotic officers came under attack and at least seven of them were injured and one of their vehicles damaged.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a release signed by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

    According to the release, the officers however managed to arrest their target after recovering some quantities of illicit drugs from the suspect and thereafter retreated to take the wounded to the hospital for treatment.

    “The operatives following credible intelligence on Tuesday stormed the market at about 2.30pm to arrest the drug dealer and evacuate illicit substances in his warehouse.

    “Soon after the arrest of Micha, miscreants mobilised from the community to attack the officers and vehicles with dangerous weapons.
    A reinforcement from the state Command of the Agency and other security agencies was able to move in to rescue the operatives from the scene of attack.

    In custody, the drug dealer said “what happened today is bad because this is the second time I have been arrested and brought here but the first arrest was not like this. I don’t know who invited the boys who attacked the NDLEA officers”.

    Reacting to the incident, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) condemned the attack and directed immediate switch to new operational guidelines that will make officers and men well positioned to defend themselves adequately in the course of carrying out their duties. He again warned that henceforth any obstruction or attack on NDLEA operatives in line of duty by suspects or their supporters would receive commensurate response.

  • Court strikes out NDLEA’s application to detain Abba Kyari, others

    Court strikes out NDLEA’s application to detain Abba Kyari, others

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out the motion filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to further detain suspended DCP Abba Kyari and six others for 14 days.
    Justice Zainab Abubakar struck out the application after counsel to the NDLEC, S. S. Obot, informed the court that the order granted by the court had been overtaken by events.
    Obot said that Kyari, formerly the head of Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alongside six other defendants, was arraigned on eight-count charge before a sister court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday.
    Newsmen reports that after Kyari and the four IRT officers pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against them, the court ordered them, including the two others, to be remanded in NDLEA custody.
    Meanwhile, after Obot’s application was not opposed to by the defence counsel, Justice Abubakar struck it out.
    Newsmen also reports that Abubakar had, on Feb. 22, granted permission to the NDLEA to further detain Kyari for 14 days, pending conclusion of investigation.
    The judge granted the order after the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services of the agency, Joseph Sunday, moved an ex-parte motion to that effect.
    The NDLEA, in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2022, also prayed for an extension of time within which to detain the six other suspects named in the alleged offence.
    The six others are ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, Inspector John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.
    While Kyari is the 1st respondent, the six others are listed as 2nd to 7th respondents respectively in the application.
    The ex-parte motion dated Feb. 15 and filed Feb. 16, sought for an order granting leave to the NDLEA for the detention of the suspects in its custody pending the conclusion of investigation.
    It also sought for “an order to detain the above suspects in NDLEA custody at Gudu, Abuja for 14 days pending the conclusion of investigation
    “And any other or further orders as
    this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
    In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Umar Hussaini, an Assistant Litigation Officer of the NDLEA, FCT Command, the agency averred that “the investigation would take some time as there are complicated dimensions of the case that require follow-up and unravelling.
    “That the investigation is likely to extend to foreign counties, where some people linked to this trans-national drug trafficking activities reside,” among others.
    His application for bail was, on Feb. 28, turned down by a sister court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on the grounds that a court of coordinate justification had already granted an order for his further detention.
    But Ekwo, who said that he was inclined to hear Kyari’s fundamental enforcement rights suit with the urgency it deserves after the expiration of the 14-day court order, fixed March 15 to hear Kyari’s application.
    NAN reports that Kyari, earlier through his lawyer, had, on Feb. 21, approached the court with an ex-parte motion and originating summons seeking for a bail and asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights which he alleged had been breached by the unlawful arrest and detention.
    He said that the allegations preferred against him were trump-up and baseless.
    Kyari, in the main suit, urged the court to make an order directing the NDLEA to pay him N500 million for infringing on his rights.
    He also asked the court to direct the agency to tender a public apology in national dailies.
    The suspended DCP had also challenged the order made on Feb. 22 by Justice Abubakar, empowering the NDLEA to detain him for more days.
    In an application filed by his counsel before Abubakar, Kyari had prayed the court to set aside the order for his detention, arguing that the order was issued without him being accorded a fair hearing
  • Remand me in NDLEA, not prison – Kyari begs court

    Remand me in NDLEA, not prison – Kyari begs court

    Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who was arraigned on Monday following a drug trafficking charge preferred against him and six others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has pleaded with the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja not to remand him in prison custody.

    Those arrainged along with Mr Kyari include Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Sunday Ubua, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, Inspector John Nuhu, Chibuinna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

    Kyari made the appeal through his lawyer, Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN.

    He begged the court to allow him remained remanded in the custody of the NDLEA pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.

    When the eight-count charge was read to Kyari, who is also wanted in the United States for his relationship with the convicted fraudster, Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abass, he pleaded not guilty.

    According to the NDLEA, Kyari, between January 19 and 25, dealt in 17.55 kilograms of cocaine. He is also being charged with obstruction of justice and attempted bribery of NDLEA officers.

    Recall that the NDLEA had said it initially invited Kyari for questioning since concluding its investigation but the suspended police chief was yet to respond.

    The police later arrested Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct, official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a transnational drug cartel.

    Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said an interim investigations report showed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on January 19, 2022, upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.

    “The arrest led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation, which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT),” Adejobi said.

  • Drug deal: All you have to know about Abba Kyari’s court appearance today

    Drug deal: All you have to know about Abba Kyari’s court appearance today

    Suspended DCP Abba Kyari on Monday pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kyari was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja alongside six others on allegations bordering on drug trafficking.

    While Kyari pleaded not guilty to counts one, two, three, four and eight levelled against him, the other four police officers, who are defendants in the trial, however, pleaded not guilty to counts one, two, three and four filed against them.

    The four members of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 include ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu.

    But Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who are 6th and 7th defendants respectively pleaded guilty to counts five, six and seven preferred against them.

    TNG reports the charge is unlawful importation of 21.35 kg of cocaine.

    Although their names were also mentioned in counts three and four, where allegations bordering on conspiracy were levelled against Kyari and others, they were not asked to take a plea on these two counts.

    Umeibe and Ezenwanne are the two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

    Shortly after taking their plea, the NDLEA lawyer, Joseph Sunday, Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, prayed the court for a trial date for the 1st to 5th defendants.

    Sunday also urged the court to grant a leave to review the charges against Umeibe and Ezenwanne who pleaded guilty for the charges against them.

    “We hope to file our prove of evidence latest tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said.

    Kanu Agabi, SAN, who led a delegation of Senior Advocates of Nigeria that appeared for Kyari and Ubia (1st and 2nd defendants), however, informed that a bail application had been filed in respect of his clients.

    The NDLEA’s lawyer, Joseph Sunday, Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, confirmed being served with the bail application but said a counter affidavit had been filed in its opposition and served on the defence early in the morning.

    Although Agabi, who was former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), confirmed receipt of the prosecution counter affidavit and was ready to move his motion, the judge said the NDLEA’s reply was not in the court file.

    “My problem is that I have not sighted my eyes on the application filed by the prosecution this morning,” he said, saying that another date would be given to take the bail request.

    Agabi said since the offences his clients were being charged for were bailable ones, he was prepared to take the application.

    Sunday, however, urged the court to review the facts of the case concerning Umeibe and Ezenwanne who pleaded guilty and sentence them accordingly.

    But Agabi objected to the prosecuting lawyer’s request.

    He argued that should the court convict and impose a sentence on the duo, it would jeopardise Kyari’s and the other four defendants’ case.

    “My Lord, convicting and sentencing these two defendants who have pleaded guilty to the charge will be prejudicial to our clients case,” Agabi said.

    He contended that Umeibe and Ezenwanne might have “pleaded guilty out of ignorance.”

    Besides, he said the fact that their names were also mentioned in counts three and four made the matter worse.

    He pleaded with the court to put the sentence and conviction of the two defendants on hold, pending the determination of the matter.

    Counsel for the 3rd defendant, Michael Mbanefo, including lawyer to the 4th and 5th defendants, M. Y. Chiwar, also spoke in the same vein.

    However, counsel for the 6th and 7th defendants, E. U. Okenyi, disagreed with Agabi’s submissions concerning his clients’ admission of guilt.

    He said his clients couldn’t have pleaded guilty to charges in which they were legally represented in court without his knowledge.

    Okenyi, who prayed the court to discountenance Agabi’s request, said if his clients continued to be in detention till the end of the case just to serve some interests, would be unfair to them.

    Also, the NDLEA’s lawyer, Sunday, opposed Mr Agabi’s argument, saying the “conviction and sentencing of the two defendants” cannot be put in abeyance till the conclusion of the five remaining defendants’ trial.

    According to him, it will be unfair to defer the conviction and sentencing of the two defendants till conclusion of trial of the other defendants.

    He argued that Umeibe and Ezenwanne cannot continue to wait in prison till the end of the trial of Kyari and others, urging the court to reject the plea.

    In his intervention, the trial judge directed both prosecuting and defence lawyers to address the court on points of law concerning their arguments.

    Justice Nwite, who adjourned the hearing of Kyari and the remaining four defendants’ bail application until March 14, fixed March 28 for the hearing of review of facts of the charges to enable the court take a decision on Umeibe and Ezenwanne’s matter.

    He ordered that the defendants be remanded in NDLEA’s custody till the next hearing date.

    The NDLEA, in the charge it filed through a team of lawyers, accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.

    It equally alleged that Kyari and his men, who are currently in its custody, also unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of cocaine.

    The duo of Umeibe and Ezenwanne were accused of conspiring with others at large to import 21.35kg of cocaine into the country.

    Kyari, formerly head of IRT, and six others would be arraigned before Justice Nwite.

    In a related development, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had, on Wednesday, filed an application for the commencement of extradition process of Kyari in the FHC.

    The Federal Government, through the Office of the AGF, had filed the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022, under the Extradition Act as part of the Nigerian government’s approval of the request by the U. S. for Kyari’s extradition.

    Kyari is to stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.

    He was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, to commit the crime, and Kyari had denied the allegations.

    A grand jury, on April 29, 2021, had filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and the court issued a warrant of arrest for him.

    However, the extradition proceeding is yet to be heard by the FHC at the time of filing the report.

    Justice Zainab Abubakar of an FHC had, on Feb. 22, given the NDLEA the go-ahead to detain Kyari and six others in custody for another 14 days to conclude its investigation.

    His application for bail was, on Feb. 28, turned down by a sister court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on the grounds that a court of coordinate justification had already granted an order for his further detention.

    But Ekwo, who said that he was inclined to hear Kyari’s fundamental enforcement rights suit with the urgency it deserves after the expiration of the 14-day court order, fixed March 15 to hear Kyari’s application.

    Kyari, earlier through his lawyer, had, on Feb. 21, approached the court with an ex-parte motion and originating summons seeking for a bail and asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights which he alleged had been breached by the unlawful arrest and detention.

    He said that the allegations preferred against him were trump-up and baseless.

    Kyari, in the main suit, urged the court to make an order directing the NDLEA to pay him N500 million for infringing on his rights.

    He also asked the court to direct the agency to tender a public apology in national dailies.
    The suspended DCP had also challenged the order made on Feb. 22 by Justice Abubakar, empowering the NDLEA to detain him for more days.

    In an application filed by his counsel before Abubakar, Kyari prayed the court to set aside the order for his detention, arguing that the order was issued without him being accorded a fair hearing.

    Abubakar had fixed tomorrow (Tuesday) for hearing Kyari’s application.

  • BREAKING: NDLEA files charges against Kyari, 6 others in cocaine deal

    BREAKING: NDLEA files charges against Kyari, 6 others in cocaine deal

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has filed an eight-count charge against the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and six others, accusing them of among others dealing in 17.55kilogrammes of cocaine.

    Named with Kyari, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/57/2022, are ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, Inspector John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

    The charge was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The NDLEA, in the charge it filed through a team of lawyers led by its Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr Joseph Sunday, accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.
    It equally alleged that Kyari and his men, who are currently in its custody, also unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of cocaine.
    The duo of Umeibe and Ezenwanne were accused of conspiring with others at large to import 21.35kg of cocaine into the country.
    In a related development, reports that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had, on Wednesday, filed an application for the commencement of extradition process of Kyari, formerly the head of the IRT, in the FHC.
    The Federal Government, through the Office of the AGF, filed the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022, under the Extradition Act.
    This was part of Nigeria government’s approval of the request by the U. S. for Kyari’s extradition.
    Kyari is to stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
    He was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, to commit the crime.
    A grand jury, on April 29, 2021, had filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and the court issued a warrant of arrest for him.
    Justice Zainab Abubakar of a FHC had, on Feb. 22, gave the NDLEA the go-ahead to detain Kyari and six others in custody for another 14 days to conclude its investigation.
    His application for bail was, on Monday, turned down by a sister court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on the grounds that a court of coordinate justification had already granted an order for his further detention.
    The suspended DCP had challenged the order made on Feb. 22 by Justice Abubakar, empowering the NDLEA to detain him for more days.
    In an application filed by his counsel, Kyari prayed the court to set aside the order for his detention, arguing that the order was issued without him being accorded a fair hearing.
    The court had fixed a hearing in Kyari’s application for March 8.
  • Court declines DCP Abba Kyari’s bail application, says overtaken by event

    Court declines DCP Abba Kyari’s bail application, says overtaken by event

    A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, refused to grant the bail application of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, said the application had been overtaken by events following an order of a sister court, granting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s prayers to detain Kyari for another 14 days to enable it conclude its investigation.

    Justice Ekwo held that the sister court, which gave the order in favour of NDLEA on Feb. 22, was a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

    The judge, however, said he was inclined to hear Kyari’s fundamental enforcement rights suit with the urgency it deserves after the expiration of the 14-day court order.

    He said that the application for bail, under the provisions of the constitution, was to be treated with urgency.

    Ekwo, who said that Kyari’s bail application was brought on Feb. 21, said he had perused the process, the averments in support and the documentary evidence.

    “The respondent (NDLEA) has filed a counter and I have perused the averments.

    “I find in paragraph 11 of the counter affidavit that this court has made an order concerning the applicant on February 22, 2022, as Exhibit NDLEA 4,” he said.

    He said he found that the sister court granted the NDLEA’s prayer to have Kyari in custody for 14 days pending its investigation.

    “This order is an order of court of coordinate jurisdiction.

    “This court is not likely to make an order contrary to that.

    “This motion for bail, by that order, has been overtaken by events by the order,” he ruled

    The judge, who ordered the NDLEA to allow Kyari have access to a verified medical personnel and medication of his choice, said “upon refusal of the bail application, the substantive suit before the court must be treated with urgency.”

    He then adjourned until March 15 to hear Kyari’s application to demand for his fundamental right enforcement.

    Earlier at the resumed hearing, Cynthia Ikena, who was counsel for DCP Kyari, informed that she was served with the NDLEA’s counter affidavit to their motion on notice early in morning.

    “That not withstanding, we are ready to take our motion this morning.,” she said.

    The NDLEA’s Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday, told the court that since the agency responded to the applicant’s substantive suit, he urged the court to disregard Ikena’s submission to take the bail motion.

    But Justice Ekwo refused to grant Sunday’s request.

    “Mr Sunday, I have the direction I am going. The applicant (Kyari) has a motion for bail and I am going to take that now then other applications will follow,” he said.

    Sunday stated that Kyari’s application for bail had been overtaken by event.

    “That is your response. Let them move their motion,” the judge insisted.

    Ekwo, therefore, directed Ikena to take her motion.

    Moving the motion, Ikena said it was a motion on notice dated Feb. 21and filed same day.

    She said the applicant prayed for an order admitting Kyari to bail pending the determination of the substantive suit and an order of substituted service of the process on the respondent.

    The lawyer said the application was supported by 10 paragraphs affidavit.

    She told the court that a case of prima facie was established against the NDLEA in paragraphs 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the affidavit of urgency and the Exhibit 8 in support.

    She said that Kyari’s ill-health was enough reasons to be admitted on bail.

    Ikena also argued that Section 35 of the constitution provided that the applicant (Kyari) had a right to be admitted to bail in every case order than a capital offence.

    She further argued that going by the “Exhibit NDLEA 5” before the court on charges against her client, capital offence was not included, therefore, the offences, with which

    Kyari were being charged, were bailable ones as provided by the constitution.

    She cited a case of “Olatunji Vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2003, and Suleiman Vs. Commissioner of Police, 2008,” where it was held that it was the constitutional right of the applicants to be granted bail in offences other than capital offence, to back her argument.

    “I urge my lord to grant the application as prayed because it is the constitutional right of the applicant to be admitted to bail,” she prayed.

    Besides, the lawyer said that Kyari was suffering from diabetes and that he was hypertensive, hence, his drugs and food had to be regulated.

    The lawyer, who also told the court that she was denied access to Kyari on Thursday when she tried to see him at the custody, stressed that since her client had been arrested on Feb. 12, he had not been on balance diet, considering his health challenge.

    She urged the court to use its discretion in admitting him on bail, pointing out that Kyari had a reliable surety and he would not jump bail.
    Responding, the NDLEA’s lawyer disagreed with Ikena.

    Sunday said that in countering the application, the agency filed a 19-paragraph counter affidavit on Feb. 28 and attached with five exhibits.

    According to him, the first exhibit is the police investigation and the second exhibit is our application before the Federal High Court for an order to detain the applicant for 14 days.

    “We also exhibited as Exhibit 4 the order of your learner brother granting the 14-day order,” he said.

    Sunday further said that “Exhibit 5” was the charge the agency filed before the court.

    “We rely on all the paragraphs and exhibits. We attached a written address which we adopt as our oral argument in this matter my lord,” he said.

    He said on Kyari’s ill-health, the agency had an excellent medical personnel that could handle any medical challenge he might be faced with.

    He said their paragraphs 13 and 14 which made the averments had not been controverted by the applicant.

    The NDLEA legal director informed that though the agency was done with the drug- related investigation, his office was still investigating Kyari on money laundering matter.

    He said if granted bail, Kyari might interfere with the ongoing investigation.

    He said though there were grounds for making bail plea, the lawyer said Kyari had not met this.

    But Kyari’s lawyer disagreed with Sunday.

    She said based on their “Exhibit A,” Kyari was 46-year old with a known diabetic and hypertensive medical record for a three years’ period.

    The lawyer, who said her client needed the attention of his medical officer, urged the court to admit him to bail.

    Justice Zainab Abubakar of FHC sitting in Abuja had, on Deb. 22, granted the NDLEA’s application to have Kyari and six other suspects, linked to the alleged drug trafficking, detained for 14 more days to complete its investigation.

    Kyari, earlier through his lawyer, had, on Feb. 21, approached the court with an ex-parte motion and originating summons seeking for a bail and asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights which he alleged had been breached by the unlawful arrest and detention.

    He alleged that the charges preferred against him were trump-up and baseless.

    Kyari, in the main suit, urged the court to make an order directing the NDLEA to pay him N500 million for infringing on his rights.

    He also asked the court to direct the agency to tender a public apology in national dailies.

    Justice Ekwo fixed March 15 to take the application.

  • Zinoleesky speaks after release from NDLEA custody

    Zinoleesky speaks after release from NDLEA custody

    Nigerian singer, Zinoleesky, who was arrested and by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has expressed disappointment in the state of the country.

    Recall that Zinoleesky along with Mohbad and some artistes under Marlian Music label were arrested on Thursday after the NDLEA official raided their apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
    The anti-drug agency said molly and cannabis were found in their possession.

    In viral videos, the NDLEA operatives were seen shooting into the air while assaulting the musician with clubs; which was wildly condemned by Naira Marley and other Nigerians.

    However, Zinoleesky, who was released 48 hours after his arrest, took to his Instagram lamenting about the deteriorating state of Nigeria, saying “There’s no joy for the country anymore.”

    In another post, the singer wrote: “update-Finally finally, we go all dey alright.”

  • Drug kingpin attacks NDLEA operatives in Lagos

    Drug kingpin attacks NDLEA operatives in Lagos

    Operatives of the NDLEA came under attack on Saturday in Lagos in the course of effecting the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin.

    NDLEA’s spokesman Mr Femi Babafemi confirmed the attack in a statement.

    “NDLEA has arrested a drug kingpin and seized drugs in a notorious drug den on Lagos Island.

    “The drug kingpin mobilised members of his cartel to attack men of the NDLEA.

    “The operatives were on the Island to arrest the kingpin of the illicit trade before they were resisted and massively attacked,’’ Babafemi stated.