Court Orders Accelerated Hearing as Abba Kyari Resumes Defence
Court Orders Accelerated Hearing as Abba Kyari Resumes Defence
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing as suspended DCP Abba Kyari and his co-defendants resumed their defence.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after the matter was heard again following an indefinite adjournment on May 20, which was due to the shortlisting of Justice Nwite’s name for elevation to the Court of Appeal.
During today’s proceedings, Counsel to the NDLEA, Sunday Joseph, informed the court that all counsel and parties agreed the matter should proceed, this is pending the President’s approval of the judge’s appointment.
Mr Joseph recalled that Inspector El-John Nwonke, the second defence witness, concluded his evidence on March 16.
However, the lawyer representing Kyari indicated he would like to review Nwonke’s testimony before the prosecution can cross-examine him.
Joseph explained that Mr Kyari’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, was out of jurisdiction and needed time to verify the accuracy of the new evidence presented in court.
Since they were only served with a hearing notice on Monday, Mr Joseph requested an adjournment.
He also mentioned that the defence’s second witness was currently overseas on special duty.
Therefore, he sought an adjournment to allow them to bring Mr Nwonke and other witnesses they intend to call for their defence.
Counsel to the other defendants, who expressed their willingness to expedite the case’s resolution, did not object to the adjournment request.
Justice Nwite ruled that the trial would proceed day-to-day until the case concludes.
Consequently, the case was adjourned until October 5 for further defence proceedings.
At its 111th meeting, the National Judicial Council (NJC) forwarded 12 High Court judges, including Justice Emeka Nwite, to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as justices of the Appeal Court.
Initially, Abba Kyari, the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and four other suspended IRT officers, including the two now convicted drug traffickers, were being prosecuted by the NDLEA on eight counts.
The charges included conspiracy and obstruction in the illegal dealing and importation of cocaine, with the cocaine being preferred against the two convicts.
The four officers named as second to fifth defendants are ACP Sunday J. Ubua ASP Bawa James Insp. Simon Agirgba and Insp. John Nuhu.
The two convicted drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, were listed as sixth and seventh defendants.
