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NDLEA Reveals More Details on Kyari Cocaine Deal, Says We’ve No Reason to Shield Anyone

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By Gom Mirian, Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), said on Wednesday that it has no reason to shield anyone who may be indicted in the course of the ongoing investigation of a 25kg cocaine deal involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Abba Kyari.


Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency in a statement said the agency remained committed to evidence-based investigation and that its resolve cannot be weakened by any misrepresentation of facts.


He said the statement was to correct some inaccuracies in the information in the public space that NDLEA officers at the Enugu airport were the ones who received from the cartel, details about the mole coming from Addis Ababa.


He stated that “The agency wishes to quote from the transcript of Abba Kyari’s recorded conversation with our undercover officer and a portion of ASP James Bawa’s statement to the police as documented in the police investigation report, a copy of which was made available to the Agency, to state that it is an established fact that its the Abba Kyari’s team that was contacted by the cartel and without doubt the records clearly show how their ring works.”
He recalled that after NDLEA requested for Kyari and others for interrogation, they were questioned by the police, after which they were handed over along with the report of their interrogation.


According to the police investigation report, ASP James Bawa in his statement to the police revealed that he was called by an informant identified as IK from Brazil who told him that a drug courier would be arriving on board Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu.
“He explained further that a pointer from IK, the Brazil-based informant met with him at about 1420hrs on 19th January 2022 outside the airport and showed him a picture of the courier. Subsequently, they sighted the suspect as he exited the airport terminal after all arrival clearance formalities, and he was arrested with another associate.


“In his own recorded conversation with our undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following: They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants), we tried to have them accept 40 per cent but they refused, except 50 per cent, they know the rudiment of the deal very well, they are the ones that do the packing.
“From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.


“From Addis it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge. Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send to us (Abba Kyari’s team).
“So we already know the goods, picture and the clothes they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything. So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.”


The NDLEA further stated that Abba Kyari in his response to NDLEA officers’ question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, said, “Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside. They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out.”
The NDLEA spokesperson added that the confessional statements “no doubt establishes who the cartel was relating with and their modus operandi.”
He assured that the agency would not deviate from an evidence-based investigation that would spare anybody found complicit.

CRIME

Convict Bags 18-yr Imprisonment over Sexual Assault on Twins

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By Torough David, Abuja

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a defendant, Chidera Chibuzor to 18-year imprisonment, over attempted sexual assault on underaged twins.

The twin sisters (names withheld) are eight-year -old.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, passed the verdict on the convict, following a plea bargain agreement reached with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who is prosecuting the case.

The amended charge bordered on attempted sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, and assault.

Oshodi held that the court was satisfied that the convict understood the nature of the offences to which he pleaded guilty.

According to him, the case is a de novo (fresh) trial after the convict had originally stood trial on a two-count charge of defilement of the twins.

He held that no witness had testified in the new trial before the convict opted to change his plea.

The court, consequently, held that it had carefully considered the submissions of the prosecution and defence counsel, and thereafter, convicted Chibuzor of the three-count charge.

Oshodi held: “It is significant for you to understand that the initial charges of defilement, as preferred initially against you, attract a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under the criminal law.

“These offences involved twin sisters, eight-year-old vulnerable children who were entitled to protection and care.

“The plea bargain negotiations in which you participated have resulted in amended charges that permit this court to exercise discretion in sentencing, albeit within the statutory framework governing the offences to which you have now pleaded guilty.

“I have also taken note of your own words during these proceedings, where you stated that you are not proud of your actions but this acknowledgement, whilst it cannot undo the harm caused, demonstrates a recognition of the wrongfulness of your conduct.”

After considering the circumstances of the case, as well as the terms of the plea bargain agreement, the court consequently, sentenced Chibuzor as follows:

“14 years imprisonment on count one, three years imprisonment on count two, and one year imprisonment on count three.

The court held that the terms of imprisonment shall run consecutively.

A consecutive sentence is where a judge orders a convict to serve multiple prison sentences one after the other, rather than at the same time (concurrently).

The judge added that the sentence shall take effect from Sept. 18, 2020, the date of his remand, adding that he should be registered as a sex offender.

State counsel, Dare Dada had told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime between July 2019 and September 2020 at Karimu Street in Surulere Lagos.

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CRIME

One Die, Two Injure as FCT Police Foil Robbery Attempt

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command on Monday evening foiled a robbery attempt in the Zone E Extension area of Apo Resettlement, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh in Abuja.

She said this was as a result of a distress call received from a commercial motorcycle rider in Apo Resettlement, reporting heavy gunfire in the area, the Divisional Police Officer of Apo Division, Uchenna Igwebuike, immediately mobilized his Ambush and Surveillance Teams to the scene.

The attackers engaged the police team in a fierce gun battle. In a swift tactical response, a reinforcement team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Isyaku Sharu, arrived at the scene.

The operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the assailants to flee into the surrounding hills.

A joint manhunt operation involving Police operatives and local vigilantes is currently ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

During the operation, three persons were rescued with varying degrees of injuries inflicted by the attackers. A light green Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 620 AU, belonging to one of the victims, was recovered at the scene.

All injured persons were immediately evacuated to Sahad Hospital, Apo Resettlement, for emergency medical care. Sadly, one of the victims later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by medical personnel. His remains have been deposited in the hospital morgue.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and assures residents that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across the Territory.

The CP also appeals to members of the public, especially residents of communities around Apo Resettlement and its environs, to report anyone seen with gunshot wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station or via any of the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913 or 08028940883.

He urged the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and continue supporting the Police in their fight against crime and criminality.

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CRIME

NDLEA Arrests 129 Suspects, Seizes 280kg Illicit Drugs in Kogi

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 129 suspects and seized 280kg of illicit drugs in the last six months in Kogi.

State NDLEA Commander, Umar Yahuza made the disclosure during a news conference in commemoration of the United Nations’ Day against Drug Abuse in Lokoja on Tuesday.

According to Yahuza, the feat is a major clampdown on drug abuse and trafficking in Kogi, a gateway for travellers from both the northern and southern parts of the country.

“The agency in its eagle eye operations from January to June has successfully arrested 129 suspects and seized a total of 282.3 Kg of illicit drugs in the state.

“The substances seized include: cannabis savita, cocaine, tramadol, opioids and various psychotropic drugs.

“The unfortunate thing is that these harmful drugs were meant to be sold to our teeming youths in Kogi and transported to other parts of the country.

“One can only imagine the level of destruction that would have followed if the drugs had found their way into circulation,” he said.

The commander also disclosed that the agency had secured 35 convictions within the period under review, and that some other cases were in various stages of trial at the Federal High Court.

Through its Drug Demand Reduction Unit, the agency has been actively engaged in drug abuse prevention campaigns across motor parks, schools, mosques, churches, and corporate organisations in Kogi State.

According to him, 106 drug-dependent individuals received brief counselling interventions aside 40 individuals referred by their families who have since been reintegrated into society.

Yahuza warned illicit drug users and traffickers to stop the dastardly act or face the wrath of the law, stressing that there is no room for criminals and criminality in the state.

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