A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted a defence video allegedly linking NDLEA operatives to misconduct, marking a fresh twist in the ongoing trial of suspended DCP Abba Kyari.
Justice Emeka Nwite overruled objections from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and admitted the video as Exhibit D-3. The footage reportedly contains confessional statements by convicted drug traffickers Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne.
A defence witness, Insp. El-John Nwonke, told the court that the suspects claimed NDLEA officers at Enugu International Airport cleared them on arrival from Ethiopia before police operatives later arrested them with substances suspected to be cocaine. He said the interview session was recorded and transferred to a DVD, which was tendered alongside a certificate of compliance.
NDLEA’s counsel objected to the admissibility of the video, but the court dismissed the objection. The matter was adjourned to March 16 for the video to be played as trial continues.
Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, is standing trial alongside four other suspended officers over charges including conspiracy and cocaine-related offences. The two civilian suspects had earlier pleaded guilty and were sentenced to two years imprisonment.
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