Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant bail to the suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, and two other suspended senior police officers.
In separate rulings, the court had maintained that the defendants had not brought any evidence in court to warrant the court’s consideration (bail).
Justice Nwite, who presided over the case, had ruled that Kyari’s bail was at the discretion of the court, in line with section 161 (2) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act.
He also said that the court must exercise its discretion judiciously, and for this case, the court could not grant bail to the defendants.
Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, had previously given Kyari a two weeks’ bail to conclude his mother’s burial rites.
This temporary two-week bail had been granted Kyari to enable him pay his final respects to his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Afterwards, the court fixed Friday, May 31, for the determination of Kyari’s bail application in the trial over drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after he was arrested over two years ago.
Kyari and four members of the IRT are presently charged with conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine and dealing in cocaine without lawful authority.
Additionally, they are being accused of conspiring to tamper with cocaine and illegally tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers.
Why It Matters
Justice Emeka Nwite’s refusal to grant bail sets a legal precedent that underscores the importance of evidence and discretion in bail applications. Kyari’s drug case serves as a reference point for future cases involving senior officers, especially as it is being closely monitored by the general public.
