Drug trafficking: Abba Kyari pleads not guilty, begs court not to send him to prison

Embattled police officer, Abba Kyari has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA had filed eight counts of hard drugs trafficking against Kyari, who is also wanted in the United States for his relationship with Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi.

He was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday along with six others – four police officers and two alleged drug traffickers.

The co-defendants 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.

The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, also urged an Abuja Federal High Court not to remand him in prison custody.

He made the appeal after pleading not guilty to the eight-count charge, Daily Post reports.

While Kyari and his police co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, who are alleged drug traffickers, pleaded guilty to allegations against them.

Shortly after the defendants entered their plea, the NDLEA, through its Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday, applied for a trial date and for review of facts in respect of the Defendants that pleaded guilty to the charge.

The NDLEA equally told the court that it filed a counter-affidavit to oppose the release of Kyari and the other four former members of the Police IRT, on bail.

But Agabi, while arguing that the charge against his clients were bailable offences, he urged the court not to accede to request for facts in respect of Umeibe and Ezenwanne.

Agabi argued that it will be prejudicial to his client for facts of the case to be reviewed and a decision reached, while the trial is still subsisting.

“It is not in the interest of justice for the facts to be reviewed while the trial is still ongoing”, he said.

He noted that both Umeibe and Ezenwanne were also mentioned in some counts in the charge that involved Kyari and the others.

Addressing the court, the Prosecution counsel, Sunday, maintained that reviewing the facts of the case would not prejudice DCP Kyari and the others.

“My lord, this sort of application by the Defence is to undermine the capacity of this court.

“This case is to be considered on the basis of the evidence before the court. I do not see how the 1st to 5th Defendants will be prejudiced since we are going to confront them with evidence against them.

“The most proper thing is to dispose of the case against the 6th and 7th Defendants.

“It will be unjust and unfair to keep the two defendants in custody while waiting for the conclusion of the trial of the others.

“It is better for them to be convicted to enable them to start serving their sentence”, the Prosecution added.

After he had listened to oral arguments from both sides, trial Justice Nwite said he would want the parties to formally address the court on the issue next Monday.