Suspended police chief Abba Kyari released after 27 months in prison

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Capital Territory after 27 months in detention.

Kyari was arrested following his arrest on February 14, 2022 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for alleged involvement in an international drug cartel.

Kyari was arraigned along with four members of the Police Intelligence Response Team – Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu – on March 7, 2022.

Two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged.

While Kyari and the IRT members pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were convicted.

Despite repeated requests, Kyari’s bail applications were repeatedly rejected until a recent decision by a Federal Court in Abuja.

On May 22, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite granted bail to Kyari to complete the burial ceremony of his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died on May 5.

As part of his bail conditions, Kyari was required to deposit his passport with the court and report to the nearest NDLEA office during the bail period.

The court has scheduled May 31, 2024, for the hearing on Kyari’s main application for bail in connection with the drug trafficking charges.

Nigerian Capital Territory Correctional Service spokesman Adamu Duza confirmed to our correspondent on Friday evening that Kyari had complied with his bail conditions and was released on Friday.

Duza said: “DCP Kyari perfected his bail conditions and was released today.”