The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 19, 20 and 21st as the trial dates for the embattled and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and four others. Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the trial dates in his ruling on Tuesday in the Abuja, even as he denied Kyari bail.
BASIC FACTS
- An Abuja High court, Tuesday denied bail to the suspended police DSP, Abba Kyari.
- The Court has fixed trial dates for October 19, 20 and 21.
- Abba Kyari is facing trial for his involvement in drug offences.
WHAT WE KNOW
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 19, 20 and 21st as the trial dates for the embattled and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and four others.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the trial dates in his ruling on Tuesday in the Abuja, even as he denied Kyari and four others bail.
The suspended Abba Kyari and ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu whom are 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants respectively, are being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on allegations bordering on a cocaine deal.
Abba Kyari was arraigned alongside the four suspended police officers on the 7th of March, 2022 for their role in a drug offence.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Emeka Nwite said the applicants failed to present sufficient materials and evidence to warrant the granting of the fresh application.
Justice Nwite, therefore, reaffirmed his earlier ruling of March 28, 2022, ordering an accelerated hearing.
According to the judge, Kyari and his other co-applicants did not show exceptional circumstances to warrant them being granted bail.
This is the second time the court would reject Kyari and others’ bail applications, having earlier turned down a similar request in April this year.
Meanwhile, the suspects are to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, pending the commencement of their trial in October.
CATCH-UP
Recall that earlier this year, Abba Kyari and four others were arrested by the NDLEA, after the drug agency had him on video attempting to influence an NDLEA official to release to him some drugs seized and replace same with dummies. In the video that went viral, Abba Kyari was seen offering US dollars to the NDLEA official.
Before the indictment by the NDLEA, Abba Kyari a deputy commissioner of police was suspended following his role in the fraud case of international fraudster Abbas Ramon aka Hushpuppi who is due to be sentenced this September in the USA.
COMMENTARY
The case of Abba Kyari has attracted so much attention, but nationwide and globally, following the credible details of the well detailed investigation of the US Federal Burea of Investigation (FBI) that led to his downfall from grace and power.
The case of Abba Kyari and his four co-accused should be an eye opener to those who use their privilege position of trust to not only circumvent the course of justice but get neck deep into crime for pecuniary gains know that they will not always go scot-free.
However, there has been a controversial aspect of Abba Kyari`s arrest and trial in a Nigerian court, which is suspected in some quarters as a ploy to safe the the disgraced “super cop” from been extradited to the United States to face criminal trial for his indictment in Hoshpoppi`s case.
Those who hold this school thought thinks that their case was clearly made recently when the same court recently denied an application by the federal government to extradite him to the United States. The denial was simply on the bases that he is currently under trial in Nigeria for a criminal offence.
However, it was the same AGF who brought the application to extradite him, that also initiated and allowed the criminal prosecution of Abba Kyari only after his indictment by the FBI, knowing fully well that the said provision that prohibits extradition has been in our law over the years.
Nevertheless, it’s a good thing the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite is insisting on a speedy trial. Clariform Newsdesk as always, would like to call on all involved to ensure that justice is served.
