The Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday declined to grant bail application of suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Abba Kyari.
The court also rejected bail plea of Kyari’s co-defendants.
Consequently, the Judge ordered the transfer of the defendants from the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to the correctional centre in Kuje, Abuja.
Kyari, a former head of Intelligence Response Unit (IRT) and four members of his former team, alongside two other persons arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in January this year, are standing trial on offences bordering on illicit dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine between January 19 and 25, 2022. This contravenes section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.
Justice Nwite, in a ruling, held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had placed sufficient evidence before the court to refuse the bail request.
Opposing the ball application, the NDLEA, had in its counter affidavit, submitted that it was inappropriate to grant bail to the applicant given the facts and circumstances of the case.
The agency described Kyari as “a flight risk” because he is already facing extradition on charges of wire fraud and could jump bail.
The anti-narcotic agency also noted the 2nd applicant, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, is under investigation for money laundering and may face charges on same.
Besides, the NDLEA argued that the applicant has had dealings with criminals in line of his duty and may be inclined to engage them in interfering with the evidence.
It submitted that the medical challenges of the applicant are not beyond the capacity of the NDLEA.
Justice Nwite, in the ruling, aligned with NDLEA’s submissions and dismissed the bail application. The judge also ordered an accelerated trial after agreeing with the prosecutor that Kyari and other defendants are likely to interfere with evidence and undermine their trial. He adjourned the matter till April 28.