Drug Trafficking: NDLEA begins Abba Kyari’s trial with first witness

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, began its case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Patricia Afolabi, a Commander of Narcotics affiliated to the agency’s forensic unit, testified as the agency’s first witness.

The witness said in court that receiving and executing forensic analysis on drug evidence is part of her job description.

She informed the court that on February 7, 2022, she got one sealed transparent evidence pack comprising 24 dispensing packets each from the agency’s forensic liaison officer, Abubakar Aliyu.

She stated that each of the packets contained 0.5grams of a whitish material.

According to the witness, the package also included a request form for analysis.

“I discovered that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, whereas displays H to G were negative, based on the examination I performed, which I labeled exhibit A-X.”

“I then signed and sealed an analytical report of my results.” “I repacked them as exhibits in a huge envelope addressed to O.C. NDLEA Abuja,” she explained.

Without opposition from the defendants, the judge entered all of the exhibits into evidence.

During cross-examination, Kyari’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, questioned the witness if it was true that every suspect in a drug trade must be present before analysis, to which the witness replied in the negative.

The witness said that it was not usual for all suspects to be present when narcotics were also given over for examination.

Mrs. Afolabi, who claims to have over 30 years of expertise, stated, “I was not present when the drug was retrieved.” I was not present when it was delivered to NDLEA.”

She revealed that NDLEA agents are stationed at all Nigerian entrance ports, including the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

When asked whether she knew NDLEA discovered the cocaine at the Enugu airport, the witness stated she didn’t.

“I’m not sure who recovered the material.” “I had no touch with any of them,” she continued.

Meanwhile, the case has been postponed till Tuesday to enable counsel to the other defendants to cross-examine the witness.