By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), yesterday, entered a full blown trial of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, before the Federal High Court Abuja.
Testifying as a first prosecution witness (PW1), is a Commander of Nacotics attached to its forensic unit, Mrs Patricia Afolabi, who informed that part of her job specification, involves receiving and conducting forensic analysis on drug exhibits.
According to her, 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 pack each.
Mrs Afolabi told the court that each of the park contained white substance measured at 0.5grams and request form for analysis.
“From the analysis I conducted, which I labelled exhibit A-X, I found out that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, while exhibit 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 it to O.C. NDLEA Abuja.
The court admitted all the exhibits in evidence without objection from the Defendants.
While cross examining the witness, Kyari’s lawyer, 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.
She said it was not customary that all suspects would be present when substances are also handed over for analysis.
Continuing, the witness, who said she has over 30 years experience, said: “I was not present when the drug was recovered. I was not present when NDLEA received it”.
She confirmed that NDLEA operatives are stationed in all entry points in Nigeria, including at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in 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 added.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned the matter till Tuesday to enable counsel to the other Defendants to cross-examine the witness.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
