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By Correspondent in Abuja.
Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne,convicted drug traffickers, on Monday told a Federal High Court in Abuja how officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly helped them evade airport security checks during a cocaine smuggling operation that eventually led to their arrest.
They made the claims in a video-recorded statement played in open court during the ongoing trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and four other police officers.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had earlier admitted the video as evidence following an application by the defence team.
The recording, tendered by the Nigeria Police through Inspector El-John Nwoke, was marked as Exhibit D-3.
Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is standing trial alongside ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu.
During the proceedings, Kyari’s counsel, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), requested that the approximately 27-minute video be played to demonstrate the defence’s case and the prosecution did not object, and the court granted the request.
In the video, both men,who have already served two-year prison sentences,admitted to trafficking cocaine into Nigeria through the Enugu International Airport and described how they allegedly received assistance to bypass thorough security screening.
Umeibe, who said he was 29 at the time of his arrest, told investigators he was drawn into drug trafficking due to financial hardship after being introduced to the illicit trade by a friend identified as Bassey.
He confirmed that he brought cocaine from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, into Nigeria and expected a payment of ₦500,000 for the trip.
He explained that after arrival, traffickers would travel by night bus to Lagos, where an unidentified contact would collect the drugs and pay them.
Ezenwanne, 45, said he had previously worked in the clothing business before being lured into trafficking by associates based in Brazil.
He admitted travelling several times, though only twice with drugs, and said proceeds from the illegal trade were used to settle debts and support his family.
Both men described an alleged system in which their photographs were taken before departure and forwarded to contacts who would allegedly pass them to NDLEA officers at the airport to facilitate smooth passage.
According to them, once they arrived, officials would recognize them and conduct only superficial checks.
“They will open the bag and close it again,not properly,” Umeibe said in the recording, adding that officers were allegedly aware of their arrival beforehand.
Ezenwanne similarly claimed that the photographs sent ahead were used to arrange easy clearance upon arrival.
Despite their admissions, both men acknowledged that cocaine trafficking is illegal and harmful.
After the video was played, the defence requested an adjournment to reconcile the transcript with the recording before continuing cross-examination.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to April 20 and 21 for continuation of trial.
The proceedings form part of the high-profile case involving Kyari and the other officers, who face allegations related to drug trafficking and misconduct.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
