Abba Kyari fights back, sues NDLEA for N500m in damages

Over what he allegedly described as unlawful arrest and detention embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has demanded N500 million in damages from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA)

In an originating motion on notice, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Kyari
also is demanding for an order directing the NDLEA to tender a written apology to him in two national dailies.

The motion, dated February 16 and filed February 17 by his lawyer, C. O. Ikena, also wants an order “restraining the respondent (NDLEA), its agents, servants, police, privies or anyone acting on their behalf from further harassing, detaining, intimidating, arresting the applicant unlawfully.

“An order of this court directing the respondent to pay the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million nairas) to the applicant, for unlawful violation of the applicant’s constitutional right provided for in Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).”

In the motion to enforce his fundamental rights, Kyari also wants a declaration that his arrest and detention by the NDLEA “without bringing him before a court of competent jurisdiction from February 12 till date is unlawful, illegal, and a gross violation of his fundamental rights.
It would be recalled that Kyari and others were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Last Monday, for alleged links with an international narcotics cartel.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) in a follow up suspended the officers indicted for links with the international drug cartel last Thursday.

“DCP Abba Kyari, who prior to this allegation was on suspension, shall remain so,” the PSC wrote.

Earlier, the anti-narcotics agency revealed the statements Kyari made to undercover operatives investigating the cocaine seizure.