Court returns Abba Kyari to prison after bail denial
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant the bail application of suspended DCP Abba Kyari.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), had placed sufficient evidence before the court to refuse the bail request.
Justice Nwite also rejected bail plea of Kyari’s co-defendants.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NDLEA, in its counter affidavit, held that it was inappropriate to grant bail to the applicant because of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The anti-narcotic agency described Mr Kyari as “a flight risk.”
It argued that if granted bail, the suspended police officer might jump bail.
The agency, who said the applicant might interfere with the evidence if granted bail, urged the court to dismiss Mr Kyari’s bail plea.
It argued that the medical challenges of the applicant was not beyond the capacity of the agency’s medical personnel.
In his ruling on Monday, the judge, Mr Nwite, agreed that the prosecution submitted sufficient evidence to warrant denying the defendants bail.
The prosecuting lawyer, Joseph Sunday, had while arguing against the bail applications on March 14, described Mr Kyari as a “flight risk”, especially as the police officer faces pending charges of money laundering in the United States.
“The prosecution has led sufficient evidence linking the defendants to the alleged offences.
“It is trite that bail is not absolute and at the discretion of the court. Therefore, the application for bail is hereby refused,” the judge held.
While the judge ordered Mr Kyari and the four other police officers to be remanded in Kuje prison, he othered Messrs Emeka and Ezenwanne who have pleaded guilty to be reminded at the Suleja correctional centre, Niger State.
He adjourned till April 28.
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