A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday ordered the transfer of the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), suspended DCP Abba Kyari and four of his co-defendants to Kuje correctional centre.
The trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to transfer the other two defendants facing drug trafficking charges alongside Kyari to the Suleja Correctional Centre.
The judge gave the order after refusing the bail applications of the former Deputy Commissioner of Police alongside the other defendants, on the grounds that the NDLEA placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant denying Kyari and the other defendants bail.
The agency, on March 7, 2022, arraigned Kyari and four members of the team, along with two other civilians on an eight-count charge.
After their arraignment, the defendants applied for bail, arguing that they were entitled to bail on the grounds that the alleged offences do not attract capital punishment and that they are still presumed innocent.
The prosecuting lawyer, Joseph Sunday, while arguing against the bail applications on March 14, had described Kyari as a “flight risk”, especially as the police officer faces pending charges of money laundering in the United States.
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In a 21-paragraph counter-affidavit, the agency, through its Director, Prosecution and Legal Services said that Kyari would “escape and had the capacity to interfere with witnesses”, if granted bail by the court.
Justice Nwite, while ruling on the bail applications, on Monday, agreed with the prosecution that sufficient evidence had been placed before the court to warrant the refusal of bail.
“The prosecution has led sufficient evidence linking the defendants to the alleged offences. It is trite that bail is not absolute and is at the discretion of the court. Therefore, the application for bail is hereby refused,” the judge held.
The Federal Government, through the NDLEA, arraigned Abba Kyari, three police officers and two civilians on an eight-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences.
While Kyari and three other defendants, ACP Sunday Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, Inspector John Nuhu, who are Police officers pleaded not guilty to the eight counts charge, the two civilians, Chibuinna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane pleaded guilty to the three charges to which they were involved.
Meanwhile, Justice Nwite had ordered an accelerated trial of the defendants and fixed for April 28, 2022, for the review of facts in respect of the case against Umeibe and Ezenwane.
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Cocaine deal: Court sends Abba Kyari co-defendants to Kuje, Suleja correctional centre
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