In a dramatic turn of events, a Federal High Court in Abuja has foreclosed the evidence of the second defence witness in the ongoing trial of a former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari, over his alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar cocaine deal. The decision was made on Wednesday, following the persistent absence of the witness to give evidence.
According to reports from Tribune Online, the trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile, expressed his displeasure over the absenteeism of the second defence witness (DW2), stating that the court could no longer entertain such absence without consequences.
It was gathered that the DW2, whose identity has not been disclosed, was expected to testify in support of Kyari, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and money laundering.
The former police chief was arrested in June 2021 following an investigation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, over his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking ring.
Kyari, who was first detained in the United Arab Emirates, was subsequently extradited to Nigeria and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The trial has been ongoing since then, with Kyari denying the allegations against him and insisting that he is being framed by his accusers.
The development comes at a critical stage in the trial, as the court prepares to deliver its ruling on Kyari’s bail application. Kyari’s lawyers had argued that their client should be granted bail pending the determination of the case, citing his continued detention as a violation of his fundamental human rights.
It is unclear whether the foreclosure of the second defence witness’s evidence will affect Kyari’s bail application, but the development is a major setback for the former police chief and his legal team.
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