Abba Kyari released after 27 months in detention

After being held in custody for 27 months, suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari was released from the Federal Capital Territory's Kuje Custodial Centre. 

After being taken into custody by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on February 14, 2022, Kyari was suspected of having ties to a global drug cartel. On March 7, 2022, Kyari was arraigned alongside Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, the other four members of the Police Intelligence Response Team. 

Charges were also brought against Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, two suspected drug traffickers who were apprehended at Enugu's Akanu Ibiam International Airport. 

Umeibe and Ezenwanne entered guilty pleas and were found guilty, whilst Kyari and the IRT members entered not guilty pleas.

Kyari requested bail on several occasions, but his motions were consistently turned down until a Federal High Court in Abuja made a recent ruling. 

Judge Emeka Nwite granted Kyari bail on May 22, 2024, so he could finish the funeral preparations for his mother Yachilla Kyari, who passed away on May 5. Kyari's bail included requirements that he turn in his passport to the court and visit the closest NDLEA office while out on bond. 

The court set May 31, 2024, as the date for the hearing on Kyari's primary bail request regarding the drug trafficking accusations.

Duza said, “DCP Kyari has perfected his bail conditions, and has since been released today.”

Source