The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has filed a fresh application seeking bail following the recent terrorist attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Naija News recalls that Kyari has been remanded in Kuje prison after his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
NDLEA had alleged that Kyari and his men unlawfully tampered with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from two apprehended drug traffickers- Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane, accusing the DCP and his men of dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.
It alleged that the police officers committed the offence between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), contrary to section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Kyari, who has maintained his innocence, is asking the court to grant him bail based on safety grounds.
Justice Emeka Nwite has fixed Wednesday, July 20th, to hear the bail application.
Also, three other police officers in Kyari’s team who are equally on trial over the alleged offences – ACP Sunday J. Ubia, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu – asked the court to grant them bail on similar grounds.
However, the 3rd defendant, Bawa James, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, did not join them in the application.
Kyari’s counsel, Ikpeazu, said his client’s new application became necessary, considering the nature of assignments he undertook while performing his duties as a police officer, Daily Sun reports.
Ikpeazu submitted that some of the inmates on remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre were people Kyari’s team at the Police IRT made their arrest possible.
Reacting, the NDLEA, through its counsel, Sunday Joseph, urged the court to refuse their new request for bail.