Two convicted drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, have alleged that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) helped them bypass security checks at the Enugu International Airport prior to their arrest.
Gatekeepers News reports that the claims were made on Monday before Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja during the ongoing trial of Abba Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and four other officers.
The allegations emerged in a video recording of confessional statements played in open court at the request of Kyari’s defence team. The footage had earlier been admitted as evidence, marked “Exhibit D-3,” following a ruling by Justice Nwite on February 27.
The video was tendered by the police through Insp. El-John Nwoke, the second defence witness (DW-2), who had testified that the suspects confessed to investigators after their arrest on January 19, 2022.
Other defendants in the case include ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu, all members of the IRT.
Counsel to Kyari, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), requested that the 27-minute video be played in court. “We apply to play that CD before this honourable court so as to demonstrate the defendants’ case before this court,” he said. The prosecution did not oppose the application.
In the footage, the two men are seen responding to questions from investigators, after being cautioned that: “Whatever you say in this video shall be tendered as evidence against you in any court of law.”
Umeibe, who said he was 29 at the time of arrest, admitted to trafficking cocaine, stating he was lured into the trade due to financial difficulties.
“It is unlawful,” he said when asked about the legality of drug trafficking.
He told investigators that he sourced the substance from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and had earned N500,000 from a previous trip in 2021. He added that he expected a similar payment for the aborted operation.
“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.
Ezenwanne, who said he was 45 and previously ran a clothing business, also admitted involvement in cocaine trafficking, describing it as his second attempt.
“The other times, I came back without any cocaine,” he said, adding that he was introduced to the trade by friends based in Brazil.
He acknowledged the illegality of the act, stating that trafficking cocaine “is not good for human health.”
Both men alleged that NDLEA officers facilitated their passage through airport security.
“My picture will be sent to the NDLEA (officers) at the airport by the person who sent me this thing (cocaine),” Ezenwanne said.
“But for me, I think it is for the NDLEA.”
Umeibe gave a similar account: “If we want to move from Addis Ababa, we will snap pictures and send them… 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 screening procedures, he added: “They will open the bag and cover it again… not properly.”
According to him, officials at the airport were already aware of their arrival, which allegedly ensured they were not subjected to thorough checks.
Following the playing of the video, the defence requested an adjournment to reconcile the transcript with the recording. Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case until April 20 and 21 for continuation of trial.
