Tobias Sylvester
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the transfer of the suspended commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari, to Kuje Correctional Center, located in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory.
KanyiDaily recalls that the NDLEA had arraigned Kyari and six others defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences.
Four of the six other defendants are members of the police intelligence response team — Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.
The two others are alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.
When the eight-count charges were read to the defendants on Monday, two of the defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty to the offences, but Kyari and the officers denied the offences.
Court Denies Abba Kyari Bail
Ruling on Monday, March 28, the judge, Emeka Nwite held that the NDLEA placed sufficient evidence before it to warrant the refusal of bail to Kyari and his co-defendant
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.
Bu the judge said, “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.”
While the judge ordered 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.
Justice Nwite ordered an accelerated trial of the Defendants, as the court fixed April 28 for the review of facts in respect of the case against Umeibe and Ezenwane.
KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal High Court in Abuja had also threatened to strike out the N500m suit filed by DCP Abba Kyari against the Federal Government.
