By Opatola Victor
There should be an urgent and thorough review of all the cases DSP ABBA KYARi has handled and has led to convictions.
Especially those cases convicted without expert evidence or evidence that it was kept in safe chain of custody before it was taken for scientific analysis
Why?
Safe custody and tampering of evidence is a very serious issue that can lead to the acquitance of an accused. See the case of ASHAKWE V STATE (1968) 2 ALL NLR. 198; ESSIEN V R. 13 WACA 66. CHIDIMMA v. FRN (2018) LPELR-44820(CA)
In the present NDLEA case involving Mr. Abba Kyari, if it is shown that Mr. Kyari made move to supplant real Cocaine evidence with dummy evidence or that he actually tampered with evidence, or that the chain of custody of evidence has been substantially compromised; then It only shows that a number of persons would have been convicted based on dummy evidence, fabricated evidence or evidence whose chain of custody has been compromised.
That shows that a number of persons have been sentenced to prison based on dummy evidences or substituted evidence.
Furthermore, previous NDLEA convictions should also be brought under heavy legal scrutiny.
In same climes when top officers are accused of serious evidentiary infractions or fabrications; a deep investigation is made into all the cases they have handled to see cases of miscarriage of Justice.
Opatola Victor Esq.,[email protected], 07069687425