Cocaine Deal: Again, Court Turns Down Abba Kyari’s Bail Plea, Orders Facilitated Trial

Again, the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined a bail request by Abba Kyari, deputy Commissioner of Police, who is being held by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over alleged involvement in the 25 kg cocaine deal.

Kyari, on March 7, was arraigned alongside Sunday J Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu who are members of the police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — two alleged drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, the agency accused the defendants of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.

Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty.

However, the sixth and seventh defendants pleaded guilty and begged the court to “have mercy”.

Mahmoud Magaji, lawyer who moved Kyari and Ubia’s (second defendant) bail application, prayed the court to grant his clients bail.

Counsel to the third and fifth defendants also prayed for bail on lenient terms.

But Joseph Sunday, prosecution counsel, opposed the bail applications. He said all the conditions for which the defendants should not be granted bail are inherent in the case.

Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, agreed with the prosecution that the defendants are likely to interfere and undermine the trial.

Consequently, he refused the bail application and ordered an accelerated trial.