The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that its substantive drug trafficking case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari remains active despite a recent court ruling that discharged him in a separate matter.
The anti-narcotics agency stated that the main drug-related charges against Kyari will continue before Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja on March 16, 2026.
NDLEA issued the clarification following a ruling by James Omotosho, who discharged Kyari in a 23-count charge involving alleged money laundering and failure to declare assets. According to the agency, the ruling relates to a different case and does not affect the ongoing drug prosecution.
Responding to inquiries on whether the agency would appeal the decision, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the prosecution team had been directed to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before deciding on the next legal step.
Babafemi stressed that the matter decided by Justice Omotosho is separate from the substantive drug charges pending before Justice Nwite, adding that the latter remains firmly on course.
“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 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, March 16, 2026. That one is very much on course,” he said.
He added that once the prosecution team reviews the detailed judgment, the agency’s management will determine whether an appeal is necessary.
The latest development highlights the continuing legal challenges facing Kyari, as the NDLEA insists it will pursue the substantive drug allegations to their conclusion in court.
