TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has preferred an eight-count criminal charge against Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), and six others over allegations of drug trafficking.

The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 include Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu. The three defendants are members of the police intelligence response team (IRT)

Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

In the charge filed by Joseph Sunday, NDLEA director of prosecution and legal services, before a federal high court in Abuja, the agency accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.

It also alleged that Kyari and his men unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of cocaine.

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

Meanwhile, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), has approved the process for Kyari’s extradition to the United States to answer allegations bordering on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and identity theft.

The AGF on Wednesday filed an application before the chief judge of the federal high court in Abuja for Kyari’s extradition.

The application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act.

Editor’s note: This report has been modified following the emergence of new facts.