Crime
Cocaine deal: Abba Kyari, others arraigned in court as 2 co-defendants plead guilty
Cocaine deal: Abba Kyari, others arraigned in court as 2 co-defendants plead guilty
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Monday arraigned the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and six others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court 8, Abuja, on an eight count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy and drug trafficking.
When the charge in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/57/2022, was read to the accused, DCP Abba Kyari; ACP Sunday Ubia; ASP James Bawa; Inspector Simon Agirigba; Inspector John Nuhu, who are all suspended police officers, pleaded not guilty while two other co-defendants Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne pleaded guilty.
In the charge, NDLEA accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilogrammes. They were also accused of tampering with 21.25k kilogrammes of cocaine unlawfully.
The accused had arrived at the Federal High Court premises under heavy security by NDLEA Strike Force officers. While the five-member prosecution team was led by the agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Sunday Joseph, while Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN led 13 other lawyers to represent Kyari and Ubia. ASP James Bawa had Michael Mbanefo and Mariam Osene as defence counsel while M.Y Chiara and two others represented Agirigba and Nuhu, with EU Okenyi appearing for Umeibe and Ezenwanne.
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After the accused took their pleas, Chief Agabi told the court that he had filed bail applications for the 1st and 2nd defendants since Tuesday 1st March 2022, a bid the prosecution opposed with a counter application. Justice Nwite in his remarks said he was yet to get the prosecution’s counter application and thereafter adjourned further hearing on bail to Monday 14th March.
The defence counsel urged the trial judge to remand the defendants in NDLEA custody instead of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, a request the prosecution said would not be objected on the ground that the defendants will be responsible for their own upkeep.
The defence counsel expressed fear that the review of facts against the 6th and 7th defendants who pleaded guilty will prejudice the case and therefore urged that the court put the review on hold pending the conclusion of the trial of the 1st to 5th defendants.
The NDLEA prosecution counsel however opposed the plea citing an existing judgment. He urged that the court should proceed with the sentencing of the 6th and 7th defendants since they had pleaded guilty adding that it will be totally unfair to keep them in prison pending the trial of the 1st to 5th defendants.
In all, five bail applications were filed for the 1st to the 5th defendants while the 8th defendant who is also a police officer is still at large. Justice Nwite adjourned the case to 28th of March 2022 for a review of facts and hearing of the case while all respondents are to be remanded in NDLEA facility pending the hearing of the bail application next Monday.
Cocaine deal: Abba Kyari, others arraigned in court as 2 co-defendants plead guilty
RPGs, ammunition recovered from neutralised bandits in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Katsina have recovered two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) rifles and large quantities of ammunition from three bandits neutralised in a recent clash with community vigilantes.
Sources said the discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. in Sabon Gida Village, Jibia Local Government Area, following a violent confrontation between vigilante members and repentant bandits on March 17.
According to the sources, a concealed sack recovered from the neutralised bandits contained two RPG rifles, 139 rounds of live ammunition, and two magazine chains.
The items were safely recovered by security personnel.
RPGs, ammunition recovered from neutralised bandits in Katsina
Troops arrest two suspected ISWAP informants in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected informants linked to ISWAP in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.
Security sources said the suspects were apprehended at about 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday following credible intelligence from a watchkeeper on suspicious movements within the Mainok general area.
According to the sources, troops of the 156 Task Force Battalion swiftly responded and intercepted the suspects while moving towards the Goni–Masari axis.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were found in possession of electrical cables at the time of their arrest, raising suspicions over possible sabotage or support activities for terrorist elements.
“They are currently in custody and undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their roles and possible links with terrorist groups,” the source said.
He added that the operation underscores the importance of community-based intelligence in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts across the North-East.
The source reaffirmed that troops remain vigilant and committed to denying terrorists freedom of action within their areas of responsibility.
Troops arrest two suspected ISWAP informants in Borno
One killed in post-reconciliation clash in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kano State Police Command has arrested several suspects following a clash between rival groups of armed thugs in Kano that left one person dead.
According to sources, the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on March 17 in Jaen Unguwar Lalle quarters after a failed reconciliation meeting. A distress call from a resident prompted the Divisional patrol team to swiftly respond.
Police said the patrol engaged the thugs, restored order, and arrested the ringleaders, identified as Abubakar Abdullahi, 22, of Sabuwar Madina quarters, and Abubakar Bello, also known as Babuji, 18, of Unguwar Lalle quarters.
Three of the thugs sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. One, Aliyu Abdullahi, 22, of Unguwar Lalle, who suffered a neck injury, was pronounced dead, while the others are receiving treatment.
Further police raids on suspected hideouts led to the arrest of eight additional suspects. Items recovered include a cutlass, a sword, and charms.
Sources from the Kano State Police Command said investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be communicated.
One killed in post-reconciliation clash in Kano
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