The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that its substantive drug trafficking case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, remained active and is scheduled to continue on March 16, 2026 before Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The agency made the clarification while reacting to the discharge of Kyari by James Omotosho on a 23-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and non-declaration of assets filed against him by the NDLEA.
Speaking on the development, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the ruling by Justice Omotosho related to a separate case and does not affect the substantive drug case already before Justice Nwite.
According to him, the drug case is progressing as scheduled and will come up again on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Babafemi also noted that the agency is yet to decide whether it will appeal Justice Omotosho’s ruling, stating that the prosecution team has been directed to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before taking further steps.
“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 the case determined by Justice Omotosho concerns allegations of money laundering and non-declaration of assets, which is distinct from the ongoing drug trafficking case.
Babafemi further stated that once the prosecution team reviews the details contained in the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the agency’s management will decide on the next line of action regarding a possible appeal.
