First NDLEA's witness Testifies Agaist DCP Kyari in the Court

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s first prosecution witness,who’s work comprises receiving and conducting forensic analysis on drug exhibits has testified in the alleged drug offence preferred against DCP Abba Kyari and others.

 

Mrs Patricia Afolabi, who is a Commander of Narcotics in the agency, was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Sunday Joseph, before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, 18 July 2022.

 

She told the court that she had on Feb. 7, received from the Forensic Liaison Officer of the agency, Abubakar Aliyu, one sealed transparent evidence pack containing 24 dispensing pack each that contained white substance measured at 0.5grams with a request form for analysis.

 

Patricia said from the analysis she  conducted, which were labeled Exhibit A-X, found out that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, while Exhibit H to G were found to be negative.

 

She said “I the 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.

 

Joseph, who is the director of Legal and Prosecution Department of the NDLEA, apply to tender the 21 cocaine packs in evidence.

The defence counsel did not object to the application, Justice Nwite admitted the exhibits in evidence.

 

When cross examining the witness, Kyari’s lawyer, Sr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, asked her if it was true that every suspect in a drug deal must be present before analysis is conducted, a question the witness answered in the negative, saying it was not routine that all suspects would be present when substances are also handed over for analysis.

 

When she was asked her if she was aware that the substance was not recovered by the NDLEA staff from the two suspects at the Enugu International Airport, Afolabi said: “I don’t know who recovered the substance. I did not come in contact with any of them.”

 

NAN reports that when the lawyer further asked her if she knew those who recovered the substance from the suspects the witness gave a negative response, but confirmed that the NDLEA operatives are stationed in all entry points in Nigeria, including at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

Justice Nwite has fixed Wednesday for hearing in another bail applications by Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.