‘Drug trafficking’: Abba Kyari released on bail — after 27 months in prison

Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), has been released — 27 months after he was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

PUNCH reports that Adamu Duza, spokesperson of the FCT command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said Kyari was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday.

Kyari was arrested on February 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links with an international drug cartel.

On March 7, 2022, Kyari was arraigned alongside Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, who were members of the police intelligence response team (IRT).

Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty.

However, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the sixth and seventh defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly.

Since then, applications by the defendants to be released on bail have been rejected.

The presiding judge refused to grant the defendants bail twice after they argued that their lives were being threatened by criminals whom Kyari’s team arrested.

The court of appeal in Abuja also dismissed Kyari’s appeal for bail.

FRESH BAIL APPLICATION

On May 22, 2024, Judge Emeka Nwite granted Kyari a two-week bail to allow him to partake in the burial rites of his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died on May 5.

The judge ruled that Kyari should deposit his international passport with the court and report to any NDLEA formation nearest to him, within the period of the bail.

The suspended DCP had also filed another application seeking bail.

The judge then fixed May 31 for the determination of Kyari’s main application for bail in the drug trafficking charge.

At the court session on Friday, granted Kyari’s motion for bail.