The Abuja Federal High Court has denied bail to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that granting bail to Kyari is at the court’s discretion according to section 161 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The judge ruled that Kyari had not provided sufficient evidence to justify bail.
Previously, on May 22, the judge granted Kyari temporary two-week bail to bury his mother, which was later extended by a week upon Kyari’s request. Kyari met the bail conditions and was released on June 1.
At today’s proceedings, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to extend the previous bail order but granted an accelerated hearing for 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.