Court Denies Abba Kyari Bail On Drug Trafficking Charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has denied granting bail to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling, held that Kyari’s bail is at the discretion of the court in line with section 161 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The judge ruled that Kyari had not shown any evidence to warrant the court granting him bail.

It would be recalled that the judge on May 22, granted the former boss of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, temporary two-week bail to bury his mother.

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However, the two weeks were extended by a week upon an application filed by Mr Kyari for an extension of the bail.

On June 1, Kyari perfected the bail conditions and was released the same day.

During proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite refused to extend his earlier order but granted an accelerated hearing in the case.

Kyari was detained following his arrest on February 14, 2022, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for alleged involvement with an international drug cartel.

He, along with four members of the Police Intelligence Response Team—Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu—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.