Two convicted drug traffickers have told the Federal High Court in Abuja that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly facilitated their passage through security checks at Akanu Ibiam International Airport while they smuggled illicit drugs into Nigeria.
The claims surfaced during the ongoing trial of former police intelligence chief Abba Kyari and four other officers over alleged drug-related offences.
The two ex-convicts, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, had earlier been convicted of drug trafficking and had completed their two-year prison sentences.
Their accounts were presented in a video recording played in open court on Monday. The footage was admitted as evidence by Justice Emeka Nwite on February 27 and was tendered at the request of defence counsel Abdul Mohammed, who represents Kyari. Prosecutors raised no objection.
Kyari is standing trial alongside four co-defendants: Superintendent of Police Sunday Ubua, Assistant Superintendent Bawa James, and Inspectors Simon Agirgba and John Nuhu.
In the recording, Umeibe said he was drawn into drug trafficking because of financial hardship. He admitted being arrested with cocaine at the Enugu airport and acknowledged the illegality of his actions.
According to him, the drugs were sourced from Addis Ababa, and he was paid N500,000 for a previous trip, with a similar amount promised for the final operation.
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“We don’t know who will collect the drugs. After we leave the airport, we will take the night bus to Lagos and call the person we will hand over the drugs to,” he said in the video.
Ezenwanne, who said he had previously traded in clothing, told the court he was recruited by associates based in Brazil. He added that the proceeds from the illegal trade helped him settle debts and support his family.
Both men claimed they were able to bypass thorough screening because their photographs had been sent in advance to NDLEA officers at the airport.
Ezenwanne alleged: “My picture will be sent to the NDLEA officers at the airport by the person who sent me this thing (cocaine). The person will now send it to NDLEA officers. So when we get to the airport, they will now know us and clear us.”
When asked about the inspection process, he claimed officers would briefly open their luggage before closing it again without proper examination.
Following the presentation of the video, the defence requested time to reconcile the transcript with the recording. Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to April 20 and 21 for continuation of the trial.
The proceedings continue to draw national attention, given Kyari’s former role as one of Nigeria’s most prominent anti-crime officers and the serious implications of the allegations for law enforcement integrity.