Court Rejects Abba Kyari’s Plea To Dismiss Drug Charge

Court Rejects Abba Kyari’s Plea To Dismiss Drug Charge

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari’s appeal to dismiss charges related to an alleged unlawful drug deal against him……… CONTINUE READING 

Kyari had challenged a previous ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on March 22, which refused to quash the charges. He argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him and four other serving police personnel without first subjecting them to internal disciplinary procedures of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.

Justice Nwite had emphasized that the powers of the Police Service Commission, PSC, do not override those of the Federal High Court.

A three-member panel of the appellate court upheld Justice Nwite’s decision and dismissed Kyari’s appeal, ruling it baseless. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, the court affirmed the March 22, 2023 ruling and directed Justice Nwite to continue and conclude the trial at the Federal High Court.

Justice Banjoko stated, “This court finds no reason to disturb the findings and conclusions reached by the learned trial judge of the Federal High Court… The appeal is found unmeritorious and it is accordingly dismissed.”

Justices Peter Obiora and Okon Abang, also on the panel, concurred with the lead judgment.

Kyari, formerly head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, faces prosecution by the NDLEA along with four IRT members – ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu. They are accused of conspiracy and unlawful dealing in cocaine.