Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused bail to the suspended deputy commissioner of police Abba Kyari.
The court held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has placed sufficient evidence before the court enough for it to refuse bail.
The prosecuting lawyer, Joseph Sunday, while arguing against the bail applications on March 14, had 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.
Mr Abba Kyari was arraigned in an Abuja court on March 7, 2022 over drug trafficking related offences.
The NDLEA in its counter-affidavits to Mr Kyari’s bail application held that it is inappropriate to grant bail to the applicant because of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The affidavits read that:
The applicant is already facing extradition on charges of wire fraud.
The 2nd applicant, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, is under investigation for money laundering and may face charges on same.
The applicant has had dealings with criminals in line of his duty and may be inclined to engage them in interfering with the evidence.
The medical challenges of the applicant are not beyond the capacity of the NDLEA.
The applicant is a flight risk and might jump bail.
It is on these premises that the court refuse the bail application of the 1st and 2nd applicant
