Connect with us

E-News

Published

on

The suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Abba Kyari, says the allegations against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are “trumped-up”.

On February 14, the NDLEA declared Kyari wanted “over his involvement in a 25kg cocaine deal”. Hours later, the police announced his arrest and subsequent transfer to the NDLEA custody.

The NDLEA’s revelation comes months after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indicted Kyari for conspiring with Hushpuppi, a self-confessed international fraudster, in a $1.1 million scam targeting Qatari business people.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, Kyari accused the NDLEA of assisting drug traffickers, alleging that a corrupt NDLEA officer framed him after he went to demand compensation for a whistleblower who provided information that led to the arrest of a suspect by the police intelligence response team (IRT).

He alleged that the suspect has been bringing cocaine into Nigeria from Ethiopia via all of the country’s airports “with the knowledge of the NDLEA officers”.

Kyari, in an affidavit deposed to by one Muhammad Nur Usman, who claimed to be his younger brother, told the court that NDLEA officers usually cleared the suspect “and even escorted him from the airport to his destination”.

“That on that fateful day, the suspect as usual shipped drugs (cocaine) from Ethiopia to Enugu airport. The officer of NDLEA cleared him within the airport, then officers of FIB-IRT arrested the suspect with the help of information,” the affidavit reads.

“That before the informant accepted to work with the officers of FIB-IRT, they both had an agreement to compensate the informant.

“That officers of FIB-IRT having noticed that officers of NDLEA were the ones clearing the said suspect with his drugs (cocaine), they immediately took the suspect to NDLEA and also reported those officers involved in the act.

“That instead of the NDLEA to handle the matter accordingly and bring their officers involved to book, they decided to frustrate the informant, thereby refusing to compensate the informant.

“That it was at this juncture that the attention of the DCP Abba Kyari was called, whom because the NDLEA officer involved is his friend, decided to intervene for the purpose of compensating the informant.

“That the NDLEA officer who refused to compensate the informant was the one who framed DCP Abba Kyari up on a trump-up allegation that he was trying to bribe him.

“That the agent of the respondent (NDLEA) declared the applicant wanted because of a mere allegation that he was trying to bribe an NDLEA officer without sufficient proof.

“That the Nigerian police force, based on the allegation of the respondent, arrested the applicant on the 12th day of February, 2022, and handed over to the NDLEA.”

Kyari insisted that there was no proof to support the allegation upon which he was arrested and detained.

“That the applicant is a decent police officer who has distinguished himself in areas of serving his father’s land as a police officer,” the document reads.

“That the applicant needs to be compensated and not to be dragged about, receiving torture, degrading and inhuman treatment by anybody or agency whatsoever.

“That there is no sufficient proof that the applicant has committed any offence to warrant this torture, degrading and inhuman treatment.”

KYARI DEMANDS N500m DAMAGES, APOLOGY FROM FG

Based on the averments in the affidavit, Kyari is asking the court for a declaration that his continued detention by the NDLEA since February 12 without arraignment before any court, is in gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

He also asked the court for an order that declaring him a suspect and announcing him to the media “without giving him right to fair hearing nor establishing a prima-facie case against him is illegal, unlawful and an infringement on his fundamental right”.

He also sought a declaration claiming that the “torture, degrading and inhuman treatment” meted out to him in NDLEA custody, and refusal to grant him administrative bail, violates his rights.

Consequently, he is praying the court for an order restraining the federal government, “its agents, servants, privies, police or anyone acting on their behalf from further harassing detaining, intimidating, arresting the applicant unlawfully”.

Aside an order “directing the respondent to tender written apology to the applicants in two national daily newspapers”, he is also asking the court to direct the respondent “to pay the sum of N500,000,000 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)”.

HEALTH CHALLENGES

Meanwhile, the suspended DCP, in an ex parte application, is asking the court to grant him bail on the grounds of ill-health.

In the affidavits of urgency, Usman, Kyari’s younger brother, said the applicant is “suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and severe heart disease that may cause death”.

“That the applicant was receiving medical treatment on daily basis due to the seriousness of the illness,” he said.

“That since 12th of February, 2022, the applicant has not accessed any medical treatment, which is very dangerous to his health.

“That failure of the applicant to check his heart, high blood pressure will result in severe health problems or may even lead to heart failure and death. The medical report from National Hospital is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit A.

“That due to the applicant being a diabetic patient and on a medical diet, he does not eat outside his home and this is causing a very big hardship on the applicant that is in NDLEA custody.

“That the health of the applicant cannot be managed while in NDLEA custody due to the seriousness of his illness. That it is in the interest of justice that this applicant be admitted to bail on health grounds.

“That the applicant will not jump bail if bail is granted him. That he had a reliable surety who is in court.”

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, declined to hear the application on ex parte (without hearing from federal government) on Monday.

Rather, the judge fixed February 24 for hearing the applicant’s motion for bail.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Daily Economy To Unveil New Insurance Book Today

Published

on

By

Daily Economy Concept, the Publisher of Daily Economy, a multimedia platform, has announced plans to celebrate its second anniversary with the official launch of a landmark book titled “Trends in Nigeria’s Insurance Industry (2005–2025) & Selected Insurance Icons.”

The event is scheduled to hold today in Lagos and is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s insurance and financial sectors.

The occasion will feature prominent personalities in the insurance and financial services industry. The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, will be the Chief Keynote Speaker and Chief Presenter of the book.

The Chairman of the Occasion is the Chairman of Prestige Insurance Brokers Limited, Prince (Dr.) Feyisayo Soyewo, while the Special Guest of Honour is the Group Managing Director/CEO of the African Reinsurance Corporation, Dr. Corneille Karekezi.

Other distinguished guests expected at the event include the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori; Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Kunle Ahmed; and President and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe.

The book, written by Nike Popoola, a multiple award-winning journalist and Editor of Daily Economy, provides a comprehensive account of the transformation of Nigeria’s insurance industry over the past two decades. It documents major reforms, regulatory developments, recapitalisation efforts, and the contributions of notable industry leaders.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Popoola said the publication was inspired by the need to document the industry’s evolution and preserve its institutional memory.

“This book is the product of extensive research and years of covering the insurance sector. It tells the story of how the industry has evolved from a relatively underdeveloped sector into one that is increasingly relevant to Nigeria’s economy. Importantly, it highlights the people whose contributions have shaped this transformation,” she said.

Also speaking on the significance of the event, the Publisher of Daily Economy noted that the anniversary and book launch represent a major milestone for the organisation.

“As a publication committed to deepening financial literacy and industry knowledge, we are proud to present this book as a contribution to the insurance ecosystem. It is not just a celebration of our journey over the past two years, but also a platform to spotlight the growth and potential of Nigeria’s insurance industry,” the Publisher said.

The publication offers rich insights for industry professionals, policymakers, researchers, and students, while also featuring photographic documentation of key events that have shaped the industry over the last 20 years.

The event will provide a unique platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and reflection on the future of insurance in Nigeria.

Continue Reading

Business

Leadway Assurance To Champion Climate Risk Solutions At Symposium In Germany

Published

on

By

Representatives of Leadway Assurance Company will be participating in the Africa Climate Insurance Symposium 2026, scheduled for March 31 to April 1, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany, to advance climate risk solutions for Africa.
The symposium aims to kick off an annual cycle of such events bringing together a unique community operating in the area of Agricultural Index Insurance and therefore creating a highly specialized community of practice.
Beyond the annual event the country level experts will form clusters and with support and mobilisation of external solicitors will connect on an interim half year basis virtually to monitor and report on progress made.
During the symposium, Leadway will contribute to the panel discussion on ‘Scaling Agricultural Index Insurance for Resilient Food Systems’ – The private sector perspective and present a case study on innovative insurance models tailored for smallholder farmers. The Group will also participate in the Solution Showcase segment, where it will highlight the Leadway WeatherGuard product and share insights on collaborative initiatives that foster public-private partnerships for climate adaptation.
Themed “How Africa’s Insurers are Reshaping Climate Resilience from the Ground Up,” the symposium brings together insurance experts, development partners, and Agricultural stakeholders to explore practical, scalable responses to climate risks.
Leadway’s participation in the symposium aims to demonstrate how locally tailored made Agricultural Index insurance products have provided climate resilience for over three million Nigerian farmers, providing timely payouts in excess of N15 Billion in payouts over a five year period. This approach supports have farmer livelihoods, enables reinvestment, and underlines insurance’s role in strengthening food security and economic stability for African communities.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Fatona Ayoola Paul, Leadway’s Global Head of Agricultural Risk Solutions, emphasised the urgency of strengthening Africa’s resilient frameworks through innovation, partnerships and collaboration. He explained that Leadway’s agricultural index insurance model stands out for using weather data and satellite technology to trigger automatic payouts when adverse conditions, such as drought or excessive rainfall, are recorded.
Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, this approach eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming farm assessments, enabling faster support to farmers. The insurance also offers bundled services, such as agronomic advisory services and digital enrollment, ensuring practical accessibility and greater impact for smallholder farmers.
“The demand for scaling Africa’s agricultural production is happening at interesting times when climate uncertainties and vulnerability are providing opportunities for innovation. This is where the Agricultural index insurance becomes an innovative concept that is now a practical tool transforming livelihoods across the continent. Platforms like this symposium allow us to deepen collaboration, share proven models, and accelerate impact to broaden such ingenious interventions across the continent,” he said.
The Africa Climate Insurance Symposium unites agricultural index insurance experts to build a dedicated community of practice. It drives cross-country collaboration among insurers, regulators, governments, and development partners, while encouraging international knowledge exchange. Through formal discussions and informal networking, participants will quickly share and replicate successful models to enhance regional cooperation.
The event brings together leaders and partners active in the insurance value chains such as Insuresilience Investment Funds (managed by Blue Orchard), Africa Reinsurance Corporation, Swiss Reinsurance, Continental Reinsurance, Pula Advisors, the Global Secretariat (BMZ/KFW), World Bank Global Shield Financing Facility, the Gates and Bayer Foundation among others to advance climate risk finance in Africa and continue laying the groundwork for regional replication.
With collaboration from key organisations and public-private partnerships, the symposium advances accessible, innovative insurance that bolsters African climate resilience and supports vulnerable communities. Leadway exemplifies African leadership through its actionable solutions and insights.

Continue Reading

Business

Leadway Affirms Commitment To Healthcare Advancement

Published

on

By

Leadway Group has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing healthcare and medical education across Africa with the announcement of its support for the Association of Medical Schools in Africa Medical Education Conference 2026.
The 2026 conference themed “Increasing Capacity and Retention of the Global Health Workforce,” will convene a diverse audience of medical schools, healthcare professionals, academics, and industry stakeholders.
The event is designed to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation, while addressing critical challenges facing healthcare systems across Africa and beyond.
“At Leadway, we recognise that healthcare is fundamental to sustainable development and national prosperity,” said Managing Director, Leadway Pensure, Olusakin Labeodan, on behalf of the Leadway Group.
“Investing in platforms that strengthen medical education and support the development of a resilient health workforce is both a responsibility and a strategic imperative. Our support for the AMSA Medical Education Conference reflects our commitment to building systems that empower healthcare professionals, drive innovation, and improve outcomes across Africa.”
Also speaking on the initiative, Dr. Tokunbo Alli, Managing Director of Leadway Health, highlighted the company’s passion for progressive healthcare delivery.
“We believe that the future of healthcare in Africa depends on how well we equip, support, and retain our medical workforce. By supporting initiatives like this conference, especially the Bioethics workshop, we are contributing to the development of well-rounded professionals who are not only clinically competent but also grounded in ethical practice and global standards.”
The AMSA Medical Education Conference continues to serve as a vital platform for engagement, bringing together thought leaders and emerging professionals to exchange ideas, build networks, and shape the future of healthcare delivery on the continent.

Continue Reading