On Tuesday I6th May 2023, journalists covering the ongoing trial of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and others were barred from entering Court 10 of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the proceedings were taking place. Even other lawyers present for their cases were prevented from sitting in the courtroom.
The restriction was imposed by Justice Emeka Nwite following an application made by Sunday Nbono, counsel for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Joseph, a director of the NDLEA’s Legal and Prosecution Department, sought the court’s protection for the next witness scheduled to testify in the trial.
He requested that lawyers, litigants, visitors, and journalists present in the court should not be allowed to remain in the courtroom during the hearing.
In response to the application, Justice Nwite temporarily adjourned the matter to allow non-parties in the anti-narcotic suit against the suspended police officers to leave the courtroom.
However, before proceeding with the case, a lawyer named Emmanuel Oluwabiyi, whose case was listed as number 11 on the cause list, informed Justice Nwite that he was present for a different matter. Oluwabiyi noticed that an application had been made by the NDLEA’s counsel before the judge rose.
Justice Nwite then requested the understanding of lawyers who were not involved in Kyari’s matter, assuring them that their cases would be heard as soon as the hearing concluded.
When questioned by journalists about the reason for the application, the NDLEA’s lawyer explained that it was intended to provide protection for the witnesses, who were intelligence officers involved in the case.
He expressed concern that members of the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who were loyal to Mr. Kyari, were still attending court proceedings.
The lawyer stated that while the agency had been calling witnesses, it was not advisable to expose the current witnesses to the public.
Regarding the events in court, Mike Mbanefo, counsel for Abba Kyari, revealed that the bail application, which had been filed and shared with the NDLEA in August 2022, had only recently received a response from the agency.
He clarified that the court had adjourned the continuation of the hearing to June 9th, 14th, and 15th, 2023.
