During a court hearing in Abuja, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) successfully obtained an order to safeguard the identity of a witness in a case involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari.

The counsel representing NDLEA, Sunday Joseph, requested the judge to restrict access to the court for lawyers, litigants, visitors, and journalists who are not directly involved in the case while the witness gives testimony.

Responding to the application, Judge Emeka Nwite granted the request and temporarily adjourned the proceedings to allow those who are not parties in the suit to exit the courtroom.

After the court session, the NDLEA lawyer addressed journalists and explained that the application was made to ensure the protection of intelligence officers acting as witnesses. He emphasized that the request was motivated by national security concerns.

Furthermore, Joseph highlighted that there had been observed instances of members from the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who are loyal to Kyari, attending the court proceedings.

“And you don’t know who is who. So, it is for the witness’ protection,” he said.

“We are now going into the nitty-gritty of the matter and there have been allegations that we are just witch-hunting them.”

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p data-reader-unique-id=”11″>Kyari, along with four members of his team namely Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, is facing an eight-count charge of drug trafficking in the ongoing trial.