The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Commander of Force Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, a two-week bail to enable him to return home and conclude his mother’s burial rites.
News About Nigeria reports that the court has set Friday, May 31, for the determination of his bail application.
Kyari is facing trial for drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He was arrested on February 14, 2022, by the NDLEA.
In a separate case, an Abuja Federal High Court had granted Kyari conditional bail in 2023 for alleged failure to declare assets.
The court presided over by James Omotosho, granted Kyari bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum. The condition attached to the suspended cop is tied to the conclusion of a separate trial on drug trafficking charges.
The NDLEA had accused Kyari and his two siblings, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, of non-disclosure of assets. The court granted bail with the condition that Kyari’s sureties must possess properties worth N25 million within the court’s jurisdiction in Abuja.
The sureties must also deposit their statements of account, international passports, title deeds of their property, and recent passport photographs with the Registrar of the Federal High Court.
However, the judge noted that Kyari will not be released until Justice Emeka Nwite grants him bail in the drug trafficking case or when the case comes to an end.
The Federal Government filed a 24-count charge against Kyari after uncovering 14 assets linked to the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The assets include shopping malls, residential estates, polo playgrounds, lands, and farmlands in Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State.
The 24-count charge against Kyari was filed by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, J. Sunday, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and dated August 30, 2022. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) stated that the suspended police officer allegedly disguised his ownership of some of the properties.
