PHOTOS: Abba Kyari’s family welcomes him after release from prison

Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police, was warmly welcomed by members of his family and friends after his release from the Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday.

A video and pictures posted on X on Saturday showed Kyari sitting with his family members, who beamed excitedly.

In one image, balloon decorations are seen in a house with the message, “Welcome Back”.

Kyari’s release comes 27 months after his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He 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, 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 in 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.

On May 22, 2024, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, 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 near him within the bail period.

The suspended DCP had also filed another application seeking bail.

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

The court granted Kyari bail on Friday. He was released shortly after perfecting his bail conditions.

See the pictures below.