Cocaine deal trial: court orders Abba Kyari, others to enter defence

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, ordered the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants to enter their defence in the charge preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings on their no-case submission applications, held that a prima face case had been made out against Kyari and other police officers in the charge. Kyari, the 1st defendant and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police was arrested on Feb. 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links to an international drug cartel. The suspended DCP and four members of the IRT – ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu are being prosecuted on charges of  conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine. They are also accused of dealing in cocaine without lawful authority; conspiracy to tamper with cocaine and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers. On March 7, 2022, Kyari and others were arraigned alongside Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, the two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu by the officers. READ ALSO: James Bamidele, 65, 2 others docked in Abeokuta for forging CBN document Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty. However, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the 6th and 7th defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly. Although Kyari and others had, at one time, applied for bail, their application was rejected. After the NDLEA closed its case, each of the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that no evidence had been adduced by the prosecution on which the court could convict them. Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite held that with the state of evidence led so far by the prosecution, he was convinced that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants to require them to put forward their defence. Justice Nwite held the same view in the five separate rulings he delivered on Friday. In a ruling on Kyari’s application, the judge held that “assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with less amount of cocaine that is lesser than 17.55 kg or more than that, it does not take away the fact that there is prima facie evidence that the 1st defendant dealt or tampered with cocaine.” He held that the argument of the 1st defendant’s lawyer on the need to sufficiently prove the amount of cocaine on the face of the charge is not the requirement of the law. He also held that there was nothing on the face of the section of the law, on which the defendants were charged, that states or provide different punishment as it relates to the quantity or amount of cocaine, whether the charge provides for 1 kilogram or more. According to the judge, in view of the foregoing, I am of the view and I so hold that a prima facie case has been made out against the 1st defendant in the five count charge and I hereby order him to enter his defence in all the five counts. The judge issued similar order in relation to the other four defendants. He consequently adjourned the matter until May 21 for the defendants to open their defence

Police Deny reports of missing 3,907 firearms

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strongly refuted claims that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armouries’.  The Force Headquarters described the allegations as misleading and based on outdated records. In a statement on Thursday, the police acknowledged past challenges, including attacks on armouries during civil unrest, leading to the loss of some weapons.  However, they confirmed that efforts have been made to recover and account for them. The police clarified that the claim originated from a 2019 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.  The report mentioned unaccounted firearms, not missing ones.  The Force explained that during audits, some weapons may not be in the armoury because they are in use by officers on duty. Additionally, the police stated that internal audits are conducted regularly to track firearms, and no significant discrepancies have been recorded.  The Force assured the public of its commitment to transparency and accountability while urging media outlets to verify information before publication. A Senate Committee on Public Accounts is set to review the issue further in a hearing scheduled for February 17, 2025.

Rivers LG Election: Armed Gunmen Disrupt Polls in Wike’s Ward

Tensions have escalated in the Rumuepirikom community, Rivers State, as gunmen disrupt voting in the ongoing LG election. Rumuepirikom is the home of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who is opposed to the election taking place. Observers say that voting could not take place as heavy gunfire rings out during election day.  Further reports indicate that earlier, unknown individuals warned residents to stay indoors, discouraging them from participating in the polls.  As electoral officers approached the voting station in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, armed assailants arrived and launched an attack, effectively seizing control of the area.  One person has reportedly been injured by gunfire and is receiving medical treatment.  The violence has left voters in fear, disrupting the electoral process.

58 deceased policemen’s families get N22.5m in Kaduna 

58 deceased policemen's families get N22.5m in Kaduna 

In a gesture of recognition and support, the Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State Command, Mr. Musa Garba, presented a total of N22.5 million in cheques to the families of 58 police officers who lost their lives while serving on duty within the state. The poignant ceremony, reflecting the appreciation for the sacrifices made by these officers, was conveyed on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun. The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Mansir Hassan, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the symbolic presentation aimed to offer financial assistance to the bereaved families in the wake of their profound loss. Commissioner Garba underscored that the emotional weight of the officers’ sacrifices goes beyond the monetary value of the cheques handed out, reiterating that it was a tangible expression of the Acting IGP’s compassion and support. Garba emphasized that the intention behind the financial aid was to alleviate the challenges faced by the families due to their loved ones’ untimely demise. He urged the recipients to utilize the funds judiciously, recognizing the profound impact it could have on their lives during this challenging time. “The pains associated with the loss of our fallen heroes are incomparable to the value of the cheques issued to the families. “It is the Acting IGP’s way of showing support and concern to those families,” Garba said. He added that it was meant ameliorate the hardships being experienced by the families, and urged them to use the money wisely. Mr Pius Luka who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the police management for the gesture, saying it will help reduce some of the hardships they face since the demise of their loved ones.  One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Pius Luka, conveyed gratitude on behalf of the families for this thoughtful gesture extended by the police management. He acknowledged that the financial support would significantly alleviate the hardships that the families had encountered since losing their beloved officers. This poignant initiative, marked by the presentation of N22.5 million in cheques, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to honor the dedication and sacrifices of officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Beyond the monetary value, the gesture holds a deeply empathetic message of support and solidarity with the families left behind, recognizing the challenges they face and aiming to provide some measure of relief.

Police confirm killing of 6 persons in Zamfara

Police confirm killing of 6 persons in Zamfara

The Police Command in Zamfara has confirmed the killing of six persons in an attack by local vigilantes, Yan Sakai, in Kadamutsawa community of Bungudu Local Government Area. A statement on Tuesday issued in Gusau by the Command’s spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said the attack, which took place on June 28, left four people injured. “The injured victims have been taken to Kwatarkoshi Hospital where one of them died while receiving treatment,” he added. According to him, the police divisional police officer in Kwatorkoshi led a strike force of the division in collaboration with the military personnel to the scene. “The hoodlums escaped, but an effort is ongoing by the police to fish out the culprits and bring them to justice,” Abubakar said. He appealed to relatives of those affected to remain calm and allow the authorities to handle the situation. 

Police bust bank account hacking syndicate, arrest 2

Kidnapping: Police arrest 32 suspects in Adamawa

The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police has cracked down a syndicate that specialises in hacking into bank customers’ accounts and arrested two suspects. The Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Idris-Adamu said that the arrest followed a petition received from a bank by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone comprising Lagos and Ogun, Mr Mohammed Ali. “On the 8th of May 2023, a petition was submitted by United Bank for Africa (UBA) to the AIG that there are some syndicates that specialise on internet fraud of various banks in Nigeria, most especially United Bank for Africa (UBA). “They hack into customers accounts and move their money. “Based on the petition, the AIG raised a team of detectives from the Zonal Monitoring Unit, which swung into action with the aid of modern technology. “The two suspects were tracked down at their hideout at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State,” she said. According to the official, the suspects confessed to the crime. “They confessed that they had many syndicates all over Nigeria and that they used software to hack into customers’ accounts and move their money undetected from any bank. “The modus operandi of these fraudsters is to have a customer’s BVN-linked phone number for easy transfer of money. “Consequently, over 1,000 customers’ accounts have been hacked and the customers defrauded across the country,” she said. She said that further investigation into the incident revealed that members of the syndicates were from different parts of the country. She said that efforts were being intensified to arrest all those connected with the crime. According to her, investigation is  ongoing while the suspects will be arraigned on completion of investigation.