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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concern over what it described as misleading reports circulating online in connection with the ongoing trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.
In a statement issued on March 25, 2026 and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organisation said some recent social-media reports had suggested that officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were implicated in the case currently before the court.
HURIWA described the reports as misleading and urged the public to rely on information presented during court proceedings rather than unverified claims circulating on social media. The group also called on media organisations to exercise caution and ensure that reports about the case are based on official court records.
According to the organisation, the case involving Kyari remains before the judiciary and should be allowed to proceed without attempts to influence public opinion. It urged the courts to remain focused on the evidence already presented by the prosecution and the defence.
Kyari, a former commander of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, was arrested in February 2022 after the NDLEA accused him and several other police officers of alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking case. The charges include conspiracy, obstruction and alleged attempts to tamper with seized drugs. Kyari has denied the allegations, and the case has continued in court since his arraignment.
The trial has drawn widespread public attention because of Kyari’s former position within the police and the seriousness of the allegations. Civil society organisations and legal observers have continued to follow developments in the case, which is regarded as one of the most high-profile prosecutions involving a senior police officer in recent years.
In its latest statement, HURIWA said the public should avoid drawing conclusions based on unverified reports and should instead allow the judicial process to determine the facts of the case. The group also urged journalists to verify information before publishing stories that could influence public perception of the ongoing proceedings.
The organisation further emphasised that the matter remains before a Federal High Court and called on all parties to respect the rule of law while the trial continues.
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