Judiciary

Kyari’s Application to Thrash Charges Rejected

By Web News 438

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by a suspended Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, praying the court to strike out all charges against him.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday, dismissed the application stating that the court has the exclusive right and Jurisdiction to hear drug-related cases as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.

Justice Nwite held that Section 251 of the constitution confers the court the power to hear and determine the charge.

Abba Kyari, the former Head of Police Intelligence Response Team, had told the court that the NDLEA ought to have allowed police to exhaust its internal machinery before it instituting action against him.

He maintained that the Police Service Commission, PSC, has the power to investigate and discipline erring police officers in line with the Police Act & Regulations, the same way the National Judicial Council (NJC) disciplines judicial officers.

However, the judge ruled that the powers of the Police Service Commission do not supersede the powers of the Federal High Court.

FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Judiciary

Court Rejects Application to Extradite Abba Kyari to US

By Web News 423

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has dismissed an application the Federal Government filed for permission to extradite the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, to the United States of America to face trial over his alleged involvement with an internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

Delivering judgement, the judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the extradition application the Federal government filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, was incompetent and bereft of merit.

Justice Ekwo held that Mr Malami, being the Chief Law Officer of the country, ought to be aware that the Extradition Act, which is clear that Kyari, having been docked before a court of competent jurisdiction in the country, shall not be surrendered until such case has been discharged either by his conviction or acquittal.

The court wondered why the AGF approached the court with the extradition application when he was equally the one that issued FIAT to the National Drug Law Enforcement, NDLEA, to prosecute DCP Kyari on drug-related charges.

Justice Ekwo dismissed the extradition request for being incompetent.

FRCN Abuja/Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Court Jails Kyari ‘s Co-defendants

By Web News 574

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced two co-defendants in a suit filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, against suspended DCP Abba Kyari over an alleged drug deal for two years in prison.

Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite held that having admitted to have committed the offence preferred against them in counts 5, 6 and 7 by the NDLEA, the co-defendants, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, were hereby convicted accordingly.

Justice Nwite thereafter sentenced them to 2 years imprisonment on each of counts 5, 6 and 7, terms would run concurrently and commence from the day the defendants were arrested by the NDLEA.

The two defendants were the two alleged drug traffickers arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu by the Nigerian police and handed over to the NDLEA.

They had pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them by the anti-narcotic agency.

Ifeoma Nwovu/Marian Benjamin/Abdullahi Lamino

Crime

Abba Kyari safe in custody, no threat to his life – NCoS

By Web News 520

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that the former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, was safe in custody as there was no threat to his life.

The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Mr Francis Enobore said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the fake news peddler further stated that the authorities of the Service was considering transferring Kyari to DSS custody.

He said “the story is false, reckless and mischievous.“It is the handiwork of some jobless cheap recognition-seeking charlatans masquerading as newsmen, lacking in intellectual capacity to interrogate what they conjure or hear before feeding the public.

“That the author is completely oblivious of where and how detention of a suspect originates speaks volume of his ineptitude and the much his story can be relied upon.

“For the record, Abba Kyari is one of the over 800 inmates in the location where he is being kept.“However, notable individuals including Ex-Governors, Ministers, Senators and other celebrities of higher social status have passed through the same facility without any threat to their lives, ” he said.

Enobore said that the authorities of the NCoS does not and had no course to request for the transfer of Abba Kyari or indeed, any inmate to any other detention centre outside its jurisdiction.

He emphasised that Kyari was safe and sound and goes about his daily routine like any other inmate unharmed.“Those playing pranks with his detention are warned to desist from such unpatriotic acts as they may be asked, through formal litigation, to justify their statement.

“The Controller-General, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, is determined to continue to upscale inmates’ welfare, safe and humane custody with fervour.“Therefore, he will not be distracted by inane publications, “Enobore said.

The nation/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

Suspected Billionaire Drug Baron in NDLEA Net

By Web News 643

A suspected Billionaire drug baron behind the N3billion Tramadol deal involving the embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari-led Intelligence Response Team, IRT, Chief Afam Mallinson Emmanuel Ukatu has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Spokesman for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement says, after months of surveillance and evading arrest, Ukatu who is Chairman of Mallinson Group of Companies was eventually nabbed onboard a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos Airport, Ikeja on Wednesday 13th April.

According to Babafemi, investigations revealed that Ukatu had been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit.

He stated that Mr. Ukatu owned pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.

“This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money”.

Giving a background to the suspect, Mr. Babafemi said, Ukatu came under watch last year after five cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized from his staff on 4th May 2021 when he sent them to sell to undercover police officers (unknown to the suspect) from the then Kyari-led IRT of the Nigeria Police, Ikeja Lagos.

“The price of a carton of Tramadol was negotiated at N17million each as against the then black market value that ranged between N18million and N20million a carton in Lagos”.

After the arrest of Ukatu’s staff: Pius Enidom and Sunday Ibekwete, Kyari’s men then led by the suspects to Mallinson’s warehouse at Ojota in Lagos where 197 additional Cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized by the IRT Team.

According to him, the monetary value of the 202 cartons of Tramadol seized from Mallinson in one day was over N3billion, adding that, three weeks after the seizure, the Kyari’s IRT team transferred only 12 Cartons of the Tramadol with one truck and a suspect to the Lagos Command of the NDLEA, leaving 190 cartons unaccounted for.

“After over eight months of following the lead, anti-narcotic officers of the Agency eventually arrested Ukatu at the Lagos airport on 13th April 2022. Kyari and four top members of his team are already facing trial for a different but similar offence at a Federal High Court in Abuja”.

 Nosa Aituamen

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Wife Slumps in Court

By Web News 1254

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until the 28th of this month to rule on the bail application filed by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.

The Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned after taking arguments of the defence and prosecution counsel.

Justice Nwite also ordered that Abba Kyari and his codefendants be further remanded in the detention facility of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, until the adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the wife of the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, slumped at the Federal High Court shortly after the ruling on her husband’s bail application was adjourned untill the 28 of this month.

A lady who identified herself as her friend alleged that she was Asthmatic.

Kyari is facing an eight-count charge on drug trafficking alongside four members of his team and two drug smugglers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

FRCN, Abuja

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Co-Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge

By Web News 380

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has produced the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment on drug trafficking charge.

Kyari, who was brought before the court by armed operatives of the agency, is currently taking his plea to an eight-count charge that was preferred against him and six others.

Others in the dock with him are four other police officers- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

While Kyari, dressed in blue native attire, and his police Co-Defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to them before trial Justice Emeka Nwite.

Some of the charges against them, read; “That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dealt in 17.55kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, within the office of the Inspector-General of (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves and with ASP John Umoru (now at large) to unlawfully tamper with 21.35 kilogramames of cocaine seized from Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwannne in the custody of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), by removing and disposing 17.55 kilogrammes of the cocaine and by substituting same with some other substance and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ACT CAP N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.

Vanguard

Crime

Kyari Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charges

By Web News 660

DCP Abba Kyari, the detained former deputy commissioner of Police, has been charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

ACP Sunday Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and John Chibunna as well as Patrick Emeka, and Alphonsus Ezenwanne are docked alongside Kyari.

The Federal Government alleged in the charge that Kyari and the 5 other police officers conspired with ASP John Umoru (now at large) to deal in 17.55 kilogrammes of cocaine from the 19th to the 25th of January, this year, at the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abuja, and thus committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation.

They all pled not guilty, except for Patrick Emeka and Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who pleaded guilty.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the bail hearing till the 14th of this month.

FRCN, Abuja

News

Court Declines Abba Kyari’s Plea for Bail

By Web News 489

 

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined to order the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to release the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is currently in its custody, on bail.

In a ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, fixed March 15 to hear the fundamental right enforcement suit Abba Kyari filed to query the legality of his arrest and continued detention.

Justice Ekwo held that Kyari’s application for bail was overtaken by events, noting that a sister court had already granted the NDLEA the permission to detain him for 14 days, pending the conclusion of its investigations..

Justice Ekwo said he would only hear the Applicant’s fundamental right suit after the expiration of his 14 days detention period.

The ruling came on a day the NDLEA sought the dismissal of Kyari’s suit for lacking in merit.

The agency denied the claim that it violated the Applicant’s fundamental rights, insisting that he was arrested and detained over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The agency equally dismissed Kyari’s claim that his health had deteriorated while he is in its custody.

 

FRCN, Abuja

Health

Police hand over DCP Kyari, others to NDLEA

By Web News 726

The police have handed over the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and 4 other police officers to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Others arrested alongside Kyari include ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agrigba, and Inspector John Nuhu, while the fifth suspect, ASP John Umoru, is still at large.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed their arrest in a statement in Abuja, revealed that they were arrested for alleged links to an international drug gang.

They were arrested on Monday for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical and unprofessional conduct, official corruption, and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel, the police said.

He explained that the arrest of the officers was a sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February 2022.

According to Olumuyiwa Adejobi, In line with the standard administrative procedure of the Force, the Inspector General of Police ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.

He said the interim investigation’s report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.

The force public relation officer noted that the arrest led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers.

He added that the operation which was intelligence-driven was undertaken by a unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

FRCN, Abuja

News

DCP Abba Kyari Arrested by Police

By Web News 821

The suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, has been arrested by the Nigerian police.

According to the PUNCH he was arrested alongside four others on Monday.

Kyari was arrested hours after National Drug Law Enforcement Agency declared him wanted over alleged drug links.

The suspended DCP is also under investigation after the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

A senior police officer at the Force headquarters said that Kyari was handcuffed and arrested like any other suspect.

“He has been arrested. He was handcuffed and will be handed over to the appropriate agency. He was not given any preferential treatment,” the police officer said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also confirmed Kyari’s arrest.

He, however, did not give details, saying that a press release would be issued soon.

When asked to confirm Kyari’s arrest, Adejobi replied, “Yes and four others. A statement will be issued soon.”

The PUNCH

News

IGP Appoints Replacement For Suspended Abba Kyari

By Web News 779

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has appointed Tunji Disu, a deputy commissioner of police, to replace the suspended head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari. Mr Kyari was suspended by the police authorities after his indictment by the U.S. for his alleged role in the $1.1million fraud by Ramon Abass, popularly called Hushipuppi.

Mr Kyari has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Kyari was suspended by the Police Service Commission on the recommendation of the inspector general. The police said Mr Kyari’s suspension was to allow an independent investigation into the charges against him.
On Monday, the police spokesperson, Frank Mba, said in a statement that the police chief approved Mr Disu’s appointment on Monday, with a directive that he should resume work with immediate effect and refocus the unit for better service delivery

“The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery,” Mr Mba said.

The statement said the inspector general charged Mr Disu to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the unit. He also assured citizens that the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.

Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Mr. Disu was a former commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State. He was also the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He had also previously served at the State Criminal Investigation Department, (CID), Rivers State, as the Deputy Head of the Unit, and was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan.

Mr Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad including Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, United Kingdom, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others.

Mr Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies.

Premium Times

Lifestyle

Obasanjo, Ondo Monarchs, Oyo APC Mourn Abba Kyari

By Web News 926

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari is a solemn reminder to all Nigerian that COVID-19 requires all hands on deck to fight the pandemic.

Chief Obasanjo, in a condolence letter to President Buhari made available to news men in Abeokuta, noted that all Nigerians needed to soberly, cooperatively, humanely and equitably able to fight the COVID 19 successful.

He also noted that there was the need to get all Nigerians back to good health and healthy economy. 

The former president, who said he received the news of the demise of Alhaji  Abba Kyari, with great sadness, as he lost the battle against the dreadful  killer disease, COVID-19, urged the President, family and friends of the late chief of staff to take solace that he died in harness, in the service of his country. 

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo prayed God to give president Buhari, the deceased family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. 

Similarly, some traditional rulers in Ondo State have expressed deep shock and sadness over the demise of Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of  Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, who died of COVID-19 complication.

The royal fathers, who spoke in a Press Statement signed by the President of a group of Ondo State 130 crown Obas and Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin, commiserated with President Buhari over the loss of Mallam Kyari to the deadly disease.

Oba Adegbite-Adedoyin urged Nigerians to follow strictly some of the directives by government on ways to stop spread of the virus despite the current hardship of the COVID-19 lockdown in order for the nation to get out the health crisis in a record time.

The monarch who expressed support for various steps so far taken by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the pandemic in Ondo State, prayed the Lord to have mercy on the world and grant mankind relief over the coronavirus.

Also, All Progressive Congress in Oyo State has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the loss of the Borno-born lawyer, banker and an astute administrator, Abba Kyari.

  A statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Dr Azeez Olatunde prays that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and put a halt on the spread and death of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

   It notes that the death of Mallam Abba Kyari is a further reminder to everyone that  COVID-19 pandemic is no respecter of status of anybody.

The statement urges people to maintain social distancing, stay at home and keep all the rules of hygiene to stay safe.

Wale Oluokun/Adegbite/Adebisi 

Health

Chief of Staff Abba Kyari is Dead

By Web News 918

The Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina has announced the news of the death of Abba Kyari, the chief of staff to the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in a state House press release.
According to the press release:
The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment.
But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.
May God accept his soul.
Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 18, 2020