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
Troops Arrest Suspect Over Killing of More Than 50 Cattle in Edo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested a suspected criminal linked to the killing of more than 50 cattle belonging to Fulani herders in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security sources said that the suspect was arrested at about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday following credible intelligence on his whereabouts.
According to the sources, troops of 4 Brigade operating from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Uromi apprehended the suspect at his residence in Oloshi Main Town.
The suspect had reportedly been on the run since May 31, when he allegedly led an attack that resulted in the killing of over 50 cattle in the Oloshi general area.
The sources said the arrest was made after sustained efforts by security agencies to track down those involved in the incident.
Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security agencies have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals connected to the attack.
Troops Arrest Suspect Over Killing of More Than 50 Cattle in Edo
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Two AK-47 Rifles in Magumeri Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducting an ongoing operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno have arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles from them.
Sources involved in the operation disclosed on Friday that the suspects were apprehended during a targeted security operation ahead of Magumeri town.
According to the sources, the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 assault rifles believed to have been used by the suspects in criminal activities within the area.
The sources further revealed that preliminary interrogation of the suspects had yielded valuable intelligence that could assist security agencies in tracking and arresting other members of the kidnapping network.
“The suspects have provided useful information that can aid further operations and lead to the arrest of additional members of the criminal syndicate,” the source said.
The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle kidnapping and other criminal networks operating in parts of Borno State.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the operation, while investigations and follow-up actions are continuing.
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Two AK-47 Rifles in Magumeri Borno
Police Rescue Six Kidnap Victims, Recover Stolen Motorcycle in Zamfara
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command have rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered a stolen motorcycle following a gun battle with armed bandits along the Anka–Gurusu Road in Zamfara State.
The command said the operation was carried out at about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday by personnel of the Violence Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) during ongoing anti-banditry operations.
According to the police, the operatives received credible intelligence that heavily armed bandits had blocked the Anka–Gurusu Road and abducted six travellers along with their two motorcycles while they were travelling from Mayanchi village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara to Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Acting on the information, the police team mobilised to the area and tracked the bandits to their hideout.
Upon contact, the suspects reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun duel.
The police said the operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to flee into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
As a result of the operation, all six abducted victims were rescued unhurt, while one of the stolen motorcycles was recovered.
The second motorcycle was, however, taken away by the fleeing bandits.
The command said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the suspects as well as recover the remaining motorcycle.
The Zamfara State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling banditry and other violent crimes across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and actionable information to security agencies.
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