The ongoing cocaine trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, following testimony that has raised serious questions about internal integrity within the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja, a defence witness, Inspector El-John Nwonke, alleged under oath that NDLEA officers stationed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, actively aided two convicted drug traffickers to bypass security checks with cocaine consignments.
Inspector Nwonke told the court that the traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne—both of whom had earlier pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and were convicted—claimed they were not intercepted at the airport because NDLEA officers allegedly facilitated their movement through security points. According to the witness, the traffickers said their photographs had been sent ahead to NDLEA personnel on duty, who then “cleared” them after a superficial inspection of their luggage.
The witness further stated that it was only after the traffickers had successfully exited the airport that operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by Abba Kyari, intercepted them outside the airport premises. This interception later formed the basis of the NDLEA’s case against Kyari and members of his team, who are accused of tampering with seized cocaine and attempting to obstruct investigations.
The testimony has provided fresh ammunition for Kyari’s defence team, which argues that the NDLEA is engaging in selective prosecution while ignoring alleged misconduct within its own ranks. The defence insists that Kyari’s team acted lawfully by intercepting suspected traffickers after other security agencies had allegedly failed to do so at the point of entry.
The NDLEA, however, has consistently denied these allegations. The agency maintains that Kyari and his co-defendants attempted to compromise the case by tampering with evidence and offering bribes to NDLEA officers in Abuja. NDLEA prosecutors have also objected to portions of the defence evidence, stressing that the allegations against its officers remain unproven and should not distract from the charges before the court.
The revelations have sparked intense public debate, with many Nigerians expressing concern over airport security and the possibility of institutional complicity in drug trafficking. While supporters of Abba Kyari describe the testimony as evidence that he is being scapegoated, critics caution that the claims remain allegations that must be tested through cross-examination and judicial scrutiny.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who has presided over the case since 2022, adjourned proceedings for continuation of trial. A separate case involving allegations of non-declaration of assets against Kyari is also scheduled for judgment in February 2026.
As the trial progresses, the court is expected to determine the credibility of the testimony and whether it exposes isolated misconduct by individuals or has broader implications for the institutions involved. Until then, the explosive claims remain part of the court record—alleged, contested, and yet to be judicially resolved.
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