A Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA)’s application to review facts of the two defendants who pleaded guilty in the ongoing trial of suspended DCP Abba Kyari and others on alleged cocaine deal.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, dismissed the objection raised by counsel for Kyari and other co-defendant officers that granting the request might jeopardise their case.
The two defendants are Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who are 6th and 7th defendants in the matter.
They are the two suspected drug traffickers arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, who pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them by the anti-narcotic agency.
Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the NDLEA and counsel for Umeibe and Ezenwanne that the objectors had not given sufficient evidence why they would be prejudiced if the court granted the request.
Justice Nwite aligned with the argument that keeping Umeibe and Ezenwanne in prison while the trial of others last was to infringe on their right to fair hearing going by Section 36(4) of 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He held that the objection lacked merit, and ordered the NDLEA to begin the review of facts of the 6th and 7th defendants’ case.
Nwite then adjourned the matter till May 26 for review of facts and hearing of the motion on notice.