The first witness of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Patricia Afolabi, has on Monday testified in the ongoing trial of former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and other suspects involved in the drug related case.
The witness, Mrs. Patricia Afolabi, gave her testimony as the NDLEA’s Commander of Narcotics in the presence of the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mrs. Patricia Afolabi’s testimony
The witness disclosed that part of her job description at the agency, NDLEA, is to conduct a thorough forensic analysis on seized drugs. Recalling an event on February 7th, the witness said she reviewed an evidence pack handed to her from the Forensic Liaison Officer of the agency, Abubakar Aliyu.
She said, “From the analysis I conducted, which was labelled Exhibit A-X, I found out that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, while Exhibit H to G were found to be negative.
“I then issued an analysis report of my findings, which I signed and sealed. I repacked them as exhibits in a large envelope and addressed it to O.C. NDLEA Abuja.”
What you should know
- Following a series of questions bordering on the handling of the evidence reviewed by the witness, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the hearing till Tuesday to give both the defendant and the opposition time to prepare for cross examination.
- The court would also hear yet another bail application by Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.
In case you missed it cocaine
- NDLEA arrested Abba Kyari and his compatriots for illegally tampering with 21.25kilograms of cocaine seized from drug dealers. The agency also accused the suspended police officers of dealing in cocaine of 17.55kg.
- Justice Emeka Nwite refused Abba Kyari’s bail request despite the claim of many death threats on the former DCP.
- Mr. Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Mr. Emeka Alphonsus alleged known associates of Abba Kyari pleaded guilty to the charges against them and each received a six-year sentence.
- Last week, Kuje prison, the correctional facility that holds high profile convicted and suspected criminals (like Abba Kyari) was attacked by unknown gunmen. While 69 Boko Haram members escaped during the raid, Abba Kyari and other high-profile inmates stayed put.