Nigeria: Court Declines Abba Kyari, 2 Others' Fresh Bail Application

Justice Emeka Nwite has refused to grant bail to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and two other suspended senior police officers.

The court, in separate rulings, held that the defendants had not brought any evidence before the court to warrant its discretion in their favour.

Justice Nwite said the court must exercise its discretion judiciously, and held that in this case, the court cannot grant bail to the defendants.

Justice Nwite held that Kyari's application lacked merit.

Kyari is facing an eight-count charge bordering on drug trafficking brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The NDLEA alleged that Kyari and his men, sometimes between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police, IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, unlawfully tampered with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from the two convicted drug traffickers- Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane- even as it also accused them of dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.

The charge stated that this is contrary to Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The court had, in two previous rulings, denied the defendant's bail and ordered their remand at Kuje prison.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.