Former drug peddlers told the court how NDLEA agents helped them escape airport arrest

Two convicted drug traffickers have told the Federal High Court in Abuja how agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly helped them evade detection and arrest during security checks at the Enugu International Airport while bringing illegal drugs into the country.

The two men, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, were convicted of drug trafficking, and have completed their two-year prison terms.

They spoke in video recordings played in court on Monday during the trial of Abba Kyari, the former head of the police intelligence response team (IRT), and four other officers.

The other defendants are Sunday Ubua, a police inspector; Bawa James, assistant police inspector; and inspectors Simon Agirgba and John Nuhu.

The video, which Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, admitted to on February 27, was shown at the request of Abdul Mohammed, Kyari’s adviser. The prosecutor didn’t mind.

In the recording, the two men tell how they trafficked cocaine and evaded airport surveillance.

Umeibe said he was introduced to the drug trade by a friend due to financial difficulties. He admitted to being caught with cocaine at Enugu airport and insisted the act was unlawful.

He said he got the drugs from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was paid N500,000 for the previous trip, with the same amount expected for the final surgery.

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“We don’t know who will take the drugs. After we leave the airport, we will take a night bus to Lagos and call the person we will hand over the drugs to,” he said.

Ezenwanne, who admitted previously trading clothes, told the court he was recruited by a friend based in Brazil. He added that he used the proceeds from his trading to pay off debts and support his family.

On how they allegedly evaded screening, the two men said their photos were sent first to NDLEA officials at the airport.

“My photo will be sent to the NDLEA (officer) at the airport by the person who sent me this item (cocaine),” Ezenwanne said.

“The person will now send it to the NDLEA (officers). So, when we get to the airport, they will now recognize us and release us.”

When asked about screening procedures, he said: “They would open the bag and close it again… Not properly.”

After the video was played, the defense asked for a delay to match the transcript with the recording.

Nwite adjourned the case to April 20 and 21 for the continuation of the trial.