The ongoing trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and others was on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, temporarily halted due to the tragic death of the daughter of Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, who is the lead defense counsel representing one of the defendants.
Emotional Plea Before Justice Emeka Nwite
The court sitting before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja, had slated the day for the defendants to open their defense in the narcotics case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
However, when the case was called, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, who held the brief for Dr. Ikpeazu, informed the court of the bereavement. He explained that Dr. Ikpeazu’s daughter had died in a tragic car accident on Saturday, May 17, 2025, just weeks before she was to be called to the Nigerian Bar, having successfully passed her final Bar examinations.
Out of respect for the court, Dr. Ikpeazu instructed Mohammed to personally convey the unfortunate development and seek an adjournment to give him time to grieve and recover from the shock.
“Out of respect for the court, he directed me to come and convey the sad news to the court and asked that this matter be adjourned to a reasonable time to enable him to get himself back for the proceedings,” Mohammed stated.
He proposed July 7, 2025 as a tentative adjournment date, indicating it would give the grieving counsel enough time to recover and prepare.
Prosecution’s Consent and Contention
The prosecution counsel, Sunday Joseph, who expressed deep sympathy upon hearing of the loss, did not oppose the proposed adjournment date and agreed to the court’s rescheduling of the trial.
Nonetheless, the prosecution raised a separate issue concerning the medical status of DCP Abba Kyari, the first defendant. Joseph drew the court’s attention to an affidavit suggesting that Kyari had undergone prostate surgery, which was previously cited as a reason for delays in the trial.
However, he claimed a letter from the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital contradicted this, stating instead that Kyari was being treated for diabetes and not for any prostate condition.
This discrepancy prompted objections from the defense.
Defense Rebuttal and Demonstration
In response, Abdul Mohammed described the prosecution’s submission as “an aberration against a professional colleague”, insisting that such serious allegations should not be made without formal affidavit evidence. He challenged the prosecution to file a proper application if they believed the court had been misled.
To substantiate Kyari’s health claims, the defense called on the first defendant to stand in court and display the area of the surgical operation.
Kyari complied, showing the court his bandaged abdomen, reportedly the site of the surgery. This physical demonstration was witnessed by the judge and legal representatives present.
Judge’s Remarks and Adjournment
In view of the deeply emotional atmosphere, Justice Nwite stated:
“With the mood we are now, I am shocked, we cannot do anything meaningful now. If there are issues, the prosecution should come formally for both parties to be heard.”
The judge therefore adjourned the case to July 7, 2025, for the defendants to commence their defense.
Background of the Case
DCP Abba Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was arrested on February 14, 2022, after being declared wanted by the NDLEA over his alleged involvement in a transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
Kyari and four IRT officers — ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu — are standing trial on multiple counts, including:
- Conspiracy to traffic 17.55kg of cocaine;
- Unlawful dealing in cocaine;
- Conspiracy to tamper with drug evidence;
- Actual tampering with 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug traffickers.
The two drug traffickers — Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. They were arraigned alongside Kyari and his team but pleaded guilty and have since been convicted.
Court’s Ruling on No-Case Submission
After the NDLEA concluded its case, all five police officers filed no-case submissions, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish any evidence linking them to the charges.
However, in a ruling by Justice Nwite, the court held that a prima facie case had indeed been made against the defendants, thus requiring them to enter their defense.
The trial is one of Nigeria’s most closely watched criminal proceedings involving law enforcement officials and reflects growing efforts to hold public officials accountable in the face of corruption and criminality.
Next Date of Proceedings: July 7, 2025
The trial is expected to resume on July 7, 2025, when the defense is scheduled to begin calling witnesses and presenting their side of the case.
