Abba Kyari’s call log shows no contact with alleged cocaine dealer — Witness tells Court

A witness from MTN Nigeria told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that an analysis of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari’s call log revealed no contact with any number linked to a suspected cocaine trafficker known as “Mike Coke.”

Testifying under subpoena in the ongoing trial of a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/57/2022, Adeshina Fasasi, a team lead with MTN’s incident management unit, said his office handles requests relating to customer disputes and law enforcement investigations.

Led in evidence by Kyari’s lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Fasasi confirmed that of six phone numbers linked to Kyari, only one was registered under his name.

When asked specifically if any number saved with the name “Coke” was found in Abba Kyari’s call log, Fasasi responded, “From the number, I cannot find a number mentioned with the name.”

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He clarified that MTN’s call data records (CDR) system cannot capture WhatsApp messages, voice recordings, or saved contact names on a mobile device. According to him, the data only includes voice and SMS metadata, location information, and device types.

The witness further revealed that a number identified in a separate section of the CDR — 09136976496 — which was linked to a contact tagged “Coke,” was registered to one Ruth Ayuba, and not to Abba Kyari.

Fasasi also stated that MTN does not record or store the content of calls made between users, even if requested by law enforcement.

Under cross-examination by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) counsel, Joseph Sunday, the witness admitted he is not a direct employee of MTN Nigeria but works as part of a managed services team recognized by the telecoms company. 

He also admitted that he had not read the full content of the report tendered in court and could not speak to its entirety. 

After cross-examination, Justice Nwite adjourned proceedings till October 22 for continuation of defence. 

Kyari is facing trial alongside his co-defendants after being arraigned on March 7, 2022, by the NDLEA on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obstruction, and drug trafficking.

According to the NDLEA, the charges involve dealings in 17.55 kilogrammes of cocaine and tampering with an additional 21.25kg. 

The defendants, Kyari; ACP Sunday Ubia; ASP James Bawa; Inspectors Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, two co-defendants, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alfonsus Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the offences.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE