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Court Grants  NDLEA Permission To Further Detain Abba Kyari

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4 years ago

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Suspended Abba Kyari

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, granted permission to the NDLEA to further detain suspended DCP Abba Kyari for 14 days, pending conclusion of investigation.

Justice Zainab Abubakar granted the order after the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, NDLEA, Joseph. Sunday, moved an ex-parte motion to that effect.

The NDLEA, in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2022, also prayed for an extension of time within which to detain the six other suspects named in the alleged offence.

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The six others are ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, Inspector John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

While Kyari is the 1st respondent, the six others are listed as 2nd to 7th respondents respectively in the application.

The ex-parte motion dated Feb. 15 and filed Feb. 16, slight for an order granting leave to the NDLEA for the detention of the suspects in its custody pending the conclusion of investigation.

It also sought for “an order to detain the above suspects in NDLEA custody at Gudu, Abuja for 14 days pending the conclusion of investigation

“And any other or further orders as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Umar Hussaini, an Assistant Litigation Officer of the NDLEA, FCT Command, the agency averred that “the 6th and 7th respondents (Umeibe and Ezenwanne) were arrested by the police including the 3rd to 5th respondents (James, Agirigba and Nuhu) in the Enugu Airport, based on suspicious of importation/trafficking in hard drugs and were subsequently transferred to the applicant for further investigation.

“That the 6th and 7th respondents confessed to the police upon their arrest that they carried the recovered drugs through Addis-Ababa, Ehiopia International Airport on Jan. 19, to Akanu Ibiam International Airport. Enugu, Nigeria.

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“That the 6th and 7th respondents conspired with some other persons (now at large) to import the recovered Cocaine to Nigeria from Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia to Nigeria.

“That it is based on the above that the 6th and 7th rspondents were arrested, brought into Abuja and handed over to the NDLEA Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for further investigation.”

Hussaini said a preliminary test of the recovered substance by the command officer in the presence of the suspects, police officers and other witnesses proved positive for cocaine.

He said the suspects voluntarily admitted importing, trafficking and possessing the cocaine they were arrested with.

“That the 1st (Kyari) to the 5th respondents are police officers who carried out the arrest of the 6th and 7th respondents and transferred them to NDI EA for further investigation.

He averred that their investigation revealed that Kyari (1st resplendent), Ubia, James, Agirigba and Nuhu, who were police officers compromised the whole operation and “were involved in the importation, trafficking and dealing and also tampered with the recovered cocaine.

“That the 1st to 5th respondents were handed over upon a request by the applicant (NDLEA) to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation as regards their involvement in tampering and dealing with some of the cocaine recovered from the 6th to 7th respondent’s recovery of 21.8 kilograms of cocaine.

“That the 1st to 5th respondents have volunteered their statements upon preliminary investigation, which has shown complicity in the case. Copies of statements are hereby attached and marked Annexure NDLEA 4 4,5,6,7,8 & 9 respectively.”

Hussaini stated that the investigation would ttake some time as there are complicated dimensions of the case that require follow-up and unravelling.

“That the investigation is likely to extend to foreign counties, where some people linked to this trans-national drug trafficking activities reside.

“That it is in line with the above that the applicant is applying to the honourable court for a period of 14 days in the first instance to detain the respondents to enable it carry out its investigation successfully,” he said.

The officer noted that leave of the court waa required to detain the respondent beyond the limit required by law, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“That an order of this court is required to detain the respondent for 14 days in the first instance pending the conclusion of investigation of this case.

“That this investigation involves a sister security agencies and thereby the agency has to collaborate and seek the assistance of the other sister security agencies to unravel the circumstances of this case,” he added.

Hussaini, who said that it was in the interest of justice to grant the application, said the respondent would not be prejudice by the grant of the application.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DCP Kyari had, through his lawyer, Cynthia Ikena, approached Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday, praying the court to admit him to bail on health grounds.

Kyari, who was formerly the head of Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), had also filed a fundamental enforcement rights suit over alleged unlawful arrest and detention.

He also demanded for a N500 million damages from the NDLEA for infringing on his fundamental rights.(NAN)

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ADC Reports Surge in Membership Following Kwankwaso’s Defection, Calls Him ‘Game Changer’

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2 hours ago

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March 30, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold, touting his defection as a pivotal move that strengthens a growing coalition for political realignment in Nigeria.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the party described Kwankwaso as a “game-changer,” announcing that he has directed his network of supporters nationwide to join the ADC. According to the party, this call has already triggered a significant uptick in registrations on its online platform over the past 24 hours.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, framed the defection as part of a broader recognition among Nigerians of the need for a credible political alternative. The statement emphasized Kwankwaso’s experience in governance, grassroots influence, and capacity to unify as assets to the party’s ambition to “rebuild Nigeria.”

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Notably, the ADC highlighted the presence of several high-profile leaders at the defection event, including the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and leading presidential aspirants such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Their attendance, the party stated, reflects a united front and growing momentum.

The party characterized the surge in online registrations as evidence that Nigerians are aligning with what it called a “different path forward.” In its appeal to Kwankwaso’s supporters and the broader public, the ADC positioned itself as a vehicle for restoring dignity, opportunity, and public trust in governance.

“Change does not happen by chance,” the statement concluded. “It happens when people come together with purpose.”

The development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition political landscape, with the ADC seeking to position itself as a converging point for influential politicians and their followings ahead of future elections.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship Election

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2 hours ago

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March 30, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

Tuggar submitted his resignation on Monday, in compliance with a presidential directive requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their posts by the March 31, 2026, deadline.

The directive, issued through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It affects ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies intending to contest in the 2027 general elections.

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Reports have it that his resignation positions him to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bauchi State gubernatorial race.

Tuggar’s entry is expected to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, intensifying an already competitive contest for the APC nomination. His background as a career diplomat and serving minister is seen by political observers as a potential advantage, offering national visibility and extensive political networks.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, additional resignations from the Federal Executive Council are anticipated as other appointees move to formalize their electoral ambitions.

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Kwankwaso Officially Joins ADC

Published

6 hours ago

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March 30, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and ex-Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress.

The former Minister of Defence also registered with the party and received his membership card on Monday at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Bompai, Kano.

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Present at the event include ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Senator Dino Melaye; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, among others.

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