The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, gave reasons for resorting to the trial of suspended DCP Abba Kyari and his co-defendants behind closed doors.
Counsel for the NDLEA, told newsmen who were barred from covering the sitting, shortly after the case was adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that there was security concern about the trial. He said the class of witnesses brought to court were undercover witnesses who needed to be protected.
“These are a class of witnesses that need to be protected; they are undercover witnesses,” he said.
When asked whether such an act would not prevent the public from knowing what transpired in court, he said: “That is why, you know I don’t grant press interviews. That is why I made an exception to tell you.”
On what happened in the courtroom, the Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of the NDLEA, said the testimony of an additional witness was taken. The lawyer said bank documents he sought to be tendered as exhibits were opposed to by the defendants and he responded.
“So, the ruling of the court is reserved on the admissibility of the evidence we sought to tender on June 9,” he said.
Lawyer to the third defendant (ASP Bawa James), also told newsmen that evidence of one of the witnesses was taken “but it was scuttled by the documents they wanted to tender, which we opposed vehemently. So the case was adjourned for ruling.”
Journalists were restrained from covering the trial of Kyari and his co-defendants, following the NDLEA’s application to the effect. Besides, other lawyers, whose matters were listed on the cause list, were also directed to leave the courtroom for Kyari’s case.
Shortly after the NDLEA’s lawyer made the application, Justice Nwite stood down the hearing to allow lawyers, litigants, visitors, including the journalists move out of the courtroom. The registrar then announced to lawyers, who had no business in Kyari’s case, to step forward and take another date for their cases. The development generated provocation from lawyers who waited until the judge reconvened.
When Justice Nwite sat to commence proceedings, one of the lawyers, whose case was on number 11 on the cause list, told Nwite that he was in the court for his matter. Oluwabiyi said he observed that before the judge rose, counsel for the NDLEA made an application.
“I understand that it was directed that everybody in the courtroom should step out because of the instant matter. The bar is also meant to be vacated.
The feedback I am getting is that when this matter is going to be made, no lawyer should be in. I am embarrassed by the application of my lord,” he said.
Another lawyer, Mr Ramiah Imhanaede, also aligned with Oluwabiyi’s submission. Justice Nwite then pleaded with lawyers who were not in the Kyari’s matter to bear with the court in the interim. He said their matters, too, would be heard as soon as hearing was over.
