Abba Kyari, the former head of the Nigeria Police Response Team (IRT) who was suspended, has been granted bail. The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, made this decision on Thursday. The charges against Kyari and his two siblings, Mohammed Baba Kyari and Ali Kyari, stemmed from allegations of failing to declare assets to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The case against them is marked as FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, and it consists of 24 counts.
Under the bail conditions set by Justice Omotosho in the matter FRN Vs Abba Kyari and 2 others, Kyari has been granted conditional bail in the amount of N50 million. Additionally, he must provide two sureties who possess registered properties worth at least N250 million within the jurisdiction. Moreover, Kyari is required to surrender his passport.
However, as of now, no one has come forward to fulfill the bail conditions on behalf of Abba Kyari, according to a source in the court. It is worth noting that Kyari will remain in prison due to another ongoing drug-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite. Although he appeared in court yesterday, his trial before Justice Nwite could not proceed as scheduled for reasons unknown, as mentioned by the source.
Justice Omotosho acknowledged that Kyari and his team did not take advantage of the opportunity to escape during an attack on Kuje Prison on July 5, 2022. While the majority of inmates escaped during the incident, Kyari and a few others did not flee. The judge interpreted Kyari’s decision not to escape as a demonstration of his willingness to face the allegations against him and not evade the bail conditions. Furthermore, the judge acknowledged that the charges against Kyari are eligible for bail.
However, Kyari cannot return home at this time due to an ongoing case before Justice Emeka Nwite. Previously, Justice Nwite denied bail to Kyari and his co-defendants. Kyari is currently facing trial on cocaine-related charges alongside four members of his former police unit, the Intelligence Response Unit (IRT). Among his co-defendants are Sunday Ubua, an assistant commissioner of police; Bawa James, an assistant superintendent of police; Simon Agirgba, an inspector, and John Nuhu, also an inspector.
In addition to the police officers, two civilians named Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in connection with the charges. The court has already sentenced the two men to jail after they pleaded guilty.