A Federal High Court in Abuja Nigeria has denied the bail request by suspended deputy commissioner of police and former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), had on March 7, arraigned Mr Kyari, Sunday Ubua, an assistant commissioner of police, Bawa James, an assistant superintendent of police, inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu, were arraigned along with two others on eight count charges.
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The charges borders on illicit dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine between January 19 and 25, 2022, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.
After their arraignment, the defendants sought for bail, arguing that they were entitled to bail on the grounds that the alleged offences do not attract capital punishment.
Justice Emeka Nwite while, ruling on the bail requests, agreed with the prosecution that, sufficient evidence had been placed before the court to warrant the refusal of the bail.
The prosecution counsel, Joseph Sunday, while arguing the bail application on March 14, argued that Mr Kyari a “flight risk” due to his involvement in allegations of money laundering in the United States, where an extradition application is pending in court.
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The NDLEA in its counter-affidavits to Mr Kyari’s bail application held that it is inappropriate to grant him bail because of the facts and circumstances of the case.
It added that, the medical challenges of the applicant are not beyond the capacity of the NDLEA.
The judge noted that, the prosecution has laid sufficient evidence linking the defendants to the alleged offences.
“It is trait that bail is not by absolute and at the discretion of the court. Therefore, the application for bail is hereby refused.” The judge ruled.
Ime N
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