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HURIWA Accuses Abba Kyari’s Team Of Spreading Lies To Obstruct Justice

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has alerted the public of what it described a coordinated campaign of calumny and deliberate misinformation being orchestrated by the handlers of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari currently facing trial for drug trafficking offences.

HURIWA made the claim in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement reads:

HURIWA wishes to alert the Nigerian public, and the international community to a coordinated campaign of calumny and deliberate misinformation being orchestrated by the handlers of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari currently facing trial for drug trafficking offences.

Following an in-depth investigation into recent sponsored reports circulating on social media, which claim that two convicted drug traffickers have indicted officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of complicity in the case, HURIWA can authoritatively confirm that these reports are a total fabrication and a clumsy attempt to subvert the course of justice.
Our findings, backed by official court records and witness statements, reveal a starkly different reality from the narrative being pushed by Kyari’s camp. In their official witness statements, the convicted traffickers Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne categorically denied any contact or collusion with NDLEA officers at the Enugu airport in January 2022.

The convicts confessed that their pictures and travel details were actually sent to Abba Kyari. Despite being on suspension at the time over another criminal case for which the United States government is still seeking his extradition to the US for trial, Kyari dispatched a team from Abuja to Enugu to intercept the traffickers for his own ends.

The convicts have stated on record that while in Kyari’s custody, they were forced under duress to indict the NDLEA. The “video confession” currently being circulated was scripted, with Kyari’s men actively dictating what the suspects should say while recording.

HURIWA reminds the public that no amount of digital spin can erase the overwhelming evidence already admitted as exhibits in court. The world has seen the video of Abba Kyari handing over $61,400 to an NDLEA undercover agent. This cash was established to be the proceeds from the sale of part of the cocaine Kyari’s team seized from the very same convicts they are now trying to use as pawns.

“It is pathetic that a high-ranking officer would resort to such low-level blackmail. This is a clear attempt to distract the public from the gravity of the drug trafficking charges. The U.S. government and the global community are watching this case closely. You cannot ‘spin’ your way out of a forensic sting operation.”

For the benefit of the public who they are struggling hard to confuse, the transcript of the conversation between Abba Kyari and an NDLEA undercover agent, already admitted as exhibit in court, clearly confirmed the transactional relationship and conspiracy between Kyari and members of the drug trafficking cartel. Here is a sampler from the conversation between Abba Kyari and NDLEA undercover agent:

ABBA KYARI: Yes, they (Cartel) will reveal to me those that are conveying it (the drugs), snap their pictures and send to us. So, we already know their goods, picture and the clothes they’re wearing, hope you understand, we know their names, they will give us everything. So, automatically the team will just be waiting, they will just see them and pick them up.
NDLEA UNDERCOVER AGENT: But are your boys inside the airport or outside?
ABBA KYARI: Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside. They will just allow them to finish everything and arrest them the moment they come out.

This tallied with the witness statements by the two already convicted Kyari’s co-accused. In the words of one of them, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe: “I traveled to Ethiopia, Addis Ababa on 10th of January 2022, then I stayed in a lounge at the airport and somebody called me on phone whose name I can’t remember that Jekwu gave him my number that he supposed to give me some stuff which is cocaine. He met me at the lounge and gave me the stuff which is inside the nylon bag, then later snapped my picture. Then that was on the 18th of January 2022 (after staying 8 days in the airport) he asked me to dress the way I will travel back before he snapped the picture.

Then after snapping the picture he left. He knows the reason of snapping the picture, then on 19th of January I boarded to Nigeria. Immediately getting to the outside (Enugu international airport), a young man approached me and said that I should give him my international passport and I asked him what for? He bring out police ID card and showed me immediately and before I know, other police people some are on uniform while some are not on uniform, they surrounded me and pushed me and my brother inside a sienna car and zoomed off.”

There’s therefore no doubt from the court records that the pictures of the convicts were taken by the cartel members at the Addis Ababa airport and sent to Abba Kyari to enable him identify the couriers. This is the only reason his officers were able to pick only the two couriers out of the multitude of people at the airport’s car park.

HURIWA therefore calls on the Nigerian judiciary to remain undeterred by these subterranean moves to blackmail the prosecution. We urge the media to be professional and verify claims against official court transcripts before amplifying narratives that seek to shield alleged drug kingpins from accountability. The facts of the crime remain constant, no amount of sponsored falsehood will wish away the evidence of the $61,400 bribe or the documented betrayal of public trust.

Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
March 25, 2026

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1 Comment

  1. thecolumnng

    March 26, 2026 at 7:15 pm

    Right development

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NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.

 

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.

 

Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.

“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.

 

The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.

According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.

Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.

He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

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Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date

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The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.

 

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.

He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.

The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.

The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.

They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.

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Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal

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Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.

 

Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.

Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.

On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.

Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.

The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.

“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.

“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.

“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.

“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.

“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”

The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.

Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.

His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.

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