By Our Reporter 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that its principal drug trafficking case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, remains active and is scheduled to continue in court on March 16.

The agency said the matter will resume before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja and is distinct from a separate case in which Kyari was recently discharged.

The clarification followed a ruling by Justice James Omotosho dismissing a 23-count charge against Kyari bordering on alleged money laundering and failure to declare assets.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the judgment should not be misconstrued as bringing an end to Kyari’s legal battles.

According to him, the court’s decision only addressed the money laundering and asset declaration charges, while the substantive drug trafficking case is still pending before Justice Nwite.

Babafemi stressed that the drug-related prosecution would proceed as scheduled, adding that the agency’s legal team had been directed to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Justice Omotosho’s judgment to determine its next course of action.

He noted that the NDLEA would review the ruling and decide whether to file an appeal against the decision to discharge Kyari in the dismissed case.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to due process, Babafemi stated that the NDLEA remains resolute in pursuing the drug trafficking charges in accordance with the law.

Kyari, a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, is currently facing prosecution by the anti-drug agency over allegations linked to drug trafficking.

The hearing slated for March 16 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected to mark the next phase of the trial.