Key Points

• Abba Kyari and his co-defendants must present their defence after the court found sufficient evidence against them.

• The court rejected the no-case submission and ordered the trial to continue.

• The case has raised concerns about corruption and the involvement of law enforcement officers in drug trafficking.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Abba Kyari and his co-defendants must present their defence in a cocaine trafficking case.

The court rejected their no-case submission, stating there was enough evidence for the trial to continue.

Court finds evidence for cocaine trafficking charges

Abba Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, and four other police officers are accused of trafficking 17.55kg of cocaine.

They face additional charges for tampering with evidence and dealing with cocaine without proper authorization.

Kyari was arrested on February 14, 2022, after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) linked him to an international drug cartel.

Despite pleading not guilty, the court found that the prosecution had presented enough evidence to move forward.

Court rejects no-case submission

The defendants argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence. However, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the evidence was enough for the trial to proceed.

The judge stated that the quantity of cocaine involved did not change the charges or penalties, emphasizing that the law doesn’t differentiate based on amounts of drugs.

Justice Nwite ordered Kyari and the others to open their defence and adjourned the case until May 21, 2025.

The impact of the case

This case highlights concerns about law enforcement officers being involved in illegal activities. The trial continues to draw attention to corruption within the system and the need for accountability.