Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, on Monday, pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Kyari, who is standing trial for conspiracy to bordering across drug trafficking alongside six others told Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja, that he is not guilty of the charges levelled against him.
The other officers docked alongside him include ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu.
Two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne were also docked alongside Kyari.
While Kyari and his police co-defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to allegations against them.
The former head of the Nigeria Police Force, Intelligence Response Team further prayed the court not to remand him in prison custody.
Kyari, who made the appeal through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, told Justice Nwite to allow him to remain in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.
Shortly after the defendants entered their plea, the NDLEA, through its Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday, applied for a trial date and for review of facts in respect of the Defendants that pleaded guilty to the charge.
The NDLEA told the court that it filed a counter-affidavit to oppose the release of Kyari and the other four former members of the Police IRT, on bail.
Consequently, Agabi, while arguing that the charge against his clients were bailable offences, urged the court not to grant the request for facts in respect of the 6th and 7th defendants who pleaded guilty.
He argued that it will be prejudicial to his client for facts of the case to be reviewed and a decision reached, while the trial is still subsisting.
He noted that both 6th and 7th defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne were also mentioned in some counts in the charge that involved Kyari and the others.
Addressing the court, the Prosecution counsel, Sunday, maintained that reviewing the facts of the case would not prejudice DCP Kyari and the others.
Announcing the judgement after listening to the arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite said he would want the parties to formally address the court on the issue next Monday.
