Abba Kyari Gets N50m Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N50million bail to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari in a charge in which he and two of his siblings are accused of failing to declare assets to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA had filed the 24-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022 against Kyari and his two siblings – Mohammed Baba Kyari and Ali Kyari – in respect of which they were arraigned last month.

In a ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho conditionally granted bail to Abba Kyari at the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum, while ruling on the bail application he filed.

Justice Omotosho had, in an earlier ruling, granted bail to the other defendants in the case.

In electing to grant Abba Kyari bail, the judge held that there was no evidence that he was a flight risk and that he will not attend trial.

The judge held that the offences with which Abba Kyari and his co-defendants were charged are bailable.

Justice Omotosho noted that the NDLEA did not deny Abba Kyari’s claim that he was in Kuje prison during the last prison break, but chose to stay put instead of escaping.

He said on the possibility of the 1st defendant attending his trial, it is pertinent to state that, according to the affidavits in support of the application, the applicant stated that he was in detention at the Kuje prisons when the jail break of 5th July, 2022 occurred and he stayed put, even though he had the opportunity of escaping.

Omotosho said the deposition was not challenged by the complainant/respondent which means it is admitted. This shows that the applicant is unwilling to run away from his trial and has shown willingness to attend court when required.

Further hearing in the case before Justice Omotosho has been adjourned till October 18.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji