A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, on Wednesday, June 19, denied bail to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Abba Kyari, in his trial on alleged drug trafficking.
In a ruling, the Judge held that Kyari’s bail is at the court’s discretion and is in line with Section 161 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and that the accused had not shown any evidence to warrant his being granted bail.
Recall on May 22, the Judge granted the former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) temporary two-week bail to enable him bury his mother.
He was also granted a bail extension upon an application filed through his Counsel and on June 1, having perfected the bail conditions, Kyari was released the same day.
But at the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice Nwite refused to extend Kyari’s earlier order, but granted an accelerated hearing of the case.
Kyari was detained following his arrest on February 14, 2022, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged involvement with an international drug cartel.
Along with four members of the IRT- Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu- he was arraigned on March 7, 2022.
Two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged.
While Kyari and the IRT members pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were convicted.
