By Paul Joseph
According to the agency, the case is scheduled to resume before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The clarification follows a recent ruling by Justice James Omotosho, who discharged Kyari from a 23-count charge relating to alleged non-declaration of assets.
However, the NDLEA emphasized that the judgment concerns a different matter involving alleged money laundering and asset declaration and does not affect the ongoing drug trafficking prosecution.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that its legal team is currently awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho in order to review the ruling in detail.
Babafemi noted that the prosecution team would determine whether to file an appeal after examining the full contents of the judgment.
Babafemi stressed that the narcotics case remains the main and substantive charge against the suspended police officer and will proceed as scheduled.
“First, I need to clarify that the ruling by Justice Omotosho is completely different from the main and substantive drug case, which continues before Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday. That one is very much on course,” he said.
Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, has been embroiled in multiple legal battles since allegations emerged linking him to an international drug trafficking network.
The continuation of the case next week is expected to attract significant public and legal attention as the court resumes hearing in one of the most closely watched drug-related prosecutions involving a senior Nigerian police officer.
The NDLEA has maintained that its prosecution of the drug charges is independent of other legal proceedings involving the embattled officer and will continue in line with due process before the court.
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