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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
After 27 months in detention, the Abuja division of the Federal High Court has granted former commander of Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari, two weeks bail.
The bail, which is for N50 million and two sureties in the like sum, is to allow the bereaved former IRT commander to conclude his mother’s burial rites. Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite has fixed Friday May 31 for the determination of his bail application.
Kyari is facing trial for drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The former IRT boss was arrested on February 14, 2022.
Justice Nwite, while giving the order, also held that the surety, which shall be his counsel in the matter, should deposit a copy of his call to bar certificate to the deputy registrar of the court.
In the copy of the order delivered, on Tuesday, but sighted by Daily Sun, yesterday, Kyari is to deposit his international passport with the court and shall always report to any NDLEA formation nearest to him, within the period the bail was granted for. The trial judge gave the order pending the ruling of Kyari’s bail application slated for May 31, 2024.
Although Kyari lost his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died in the early hours of Sunday, May 5, 2024, sources said it formed part of the reasons for granting him bail. Justice Nwite, had refused to grant the defendants bail twice after they argued that their lives were being threatened by criminals who Kyari’s team arrested.
The court of appeal in Abuja also dismissed Kyari’s appeal for bail.
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, he was arraigned alongside Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu, who are members of the police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Others are Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne — two suspected drug traffickers, who were arrested at the 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.
