Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Monday commenced the prosecution of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyari on hard drug trafficking before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mrs. Patricia Afolabi, a Commander of narcotics attached to NDLEA’s forensic unit testified as the first witness.
The witness informed the court that part of her job specification involves receiving and conducting forensic analysis on drug exhibits.
She further told the court that she had on February 7, 2022, received from the forensic liaison officer of the agency, Abubakar Aliyu, one sealed transparent evidence pack containing 24 dispensing packs each.
She said that each of the packs contained a white substance measured at 0.5grams. The witness said the package also contained a request form for analysis.
“From the analysis I conducted, which I labeled exhibit A-X, I found out that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, while exhibits H to G were found to be negative.
“I then issued an analysis report of my findings, which I signed and sealed. I repacked them as exhibits in a large envelope and addressed them to O.C. NDLEA Abuja,” she said.
The court admitted all the exhibits in evidence without objection from the defendants.
While cross-examining the witness, Kyari’s lawyer, Dr. 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.
The witness replied that it was not customary that all suspects would be present when substances are handed over for analysis.
Mrs. Afolabi, who said she has over 30 years of experience, explained “I was not present when the drug was recovered. I was not present when NDLEA received it”.
She confirmed that NDLEA operatives are stationed at all entry points in Nigeria, including at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Asked if she was aware if it was NDLEA that recovered the cocaine at the airport in Enugu, the witness said she was not aware.
“I don’t know who recovered the substance. I did not come in contact with any of them”, she said.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned the matter till Tuesday to enable counsel to the other defendants to cross-examine the witness