Justice James Omotosho, presiding over a Federal High court in Abuja, has ordered the release of Abba Kyari, the former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) under the Inspector General of Police, News About Nigeria reports.
This decision comes after Kyari spent approximately one year, six months in prison custody.
During the court proceedings, Justice Omotosho emphasized an intriguing aspect of Kyari’s conduct during an incident at Kuje Prison on July 5, 2022.
Kyari and his team consciously decided against escaping when presented with an opportunity to do so.
Notably, while the chaos ensued, approximately 90 percent of the inmates took advantage and fled.
The judge considered Kyari’s refusal to escape as a testament to his commitment to facing any allegations brought against him.
Moreover, Justice Omotosho opined that all the allegations leveled against Kyari are eligible for bail, as they do not qualify as non-bailable offenses.
Additionally, the judge concluded that Kyari does not pose a significant flight risk, further supporting his decision to grant bail.
After the court ruling, Barr Suleiman Shehu, a member of Kyari’s defense team, expressed satisfaction and hailed the decision as a well-deserved victory, highlighting the importance of the court’s recognition of Kyari’s commitment to justice.
It is worth noting that Kyari’s legal troubles began in February 2022 when he and several members of his team were taken into custody following allegations made by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) regarding tampering with drug exhibits.
The case took an unexpected turn when the NDLEA accused Kyari and certain IRT members of interfering with the evidence.
The accusations arose subsequent to the IRT team’s arrest of Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne in January 2022.
The duo was apprehended in connection with the possession of 21.25 kilograms of cocaine. Subsequently, Kyari and his team handed the suspects and the seized cocaine over to the NDLEA.
Kyari’s defense team believes that this court ruling is a significant step towards clearing his name and defending his reputation.
