Touchaheart Nigeria reports that the suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a case where he and two of his siblings, Baba Kyari and Ali Kyari, are accused of failing to declare assets to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kyari was granted bail on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho.
In response to the defendant’s application, Justice James Omotosho ruled and granted conditional bail to Kyari, requiring him to pay a sum of N50 million. Additionally, he must provide two sureties who each possess property valued at N25 million within the jurisdiction.
To ensure compliance, Justice Omotosho stipulated that Kyari and his sureties must deposit their international passports, statement of accounts, title deeds of the sureties’ property, and recent passport photographs with the court registrar.
Furthermore, the judge determined that Kyari’s release warrant is contingent upon the progress of another case in which he is being tried alongside four others for drug-related offenses, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
In reaching the decision to grant bail, the judge concluded that there was no evidence suggesting Kyari posed a flight risk or would evade his trial.
The Justice emphasized that although the NDLEA did not dispute Kyari’s testimony that he was in Kuje jail during the previous prison break and had the option to escape, he chose not to do so.
Abba Kyari
“On the possibility of the 1st defendant attending his trial, it is pertinent to state that, according to the affidavits in support of the application, the applicant stated that he was in detention at the Kuje prisons when the jailbreak of 5th July 2022 occurred and he stayed put, even though he had the opportunity of escaping.”
“This deposition was not challenged by the complainant/respondent which means it is admitted. This shows that the applicant is unwilling to run away from his trial and has shown a willingness to attend court when required.”
“This piece of fact will work in favour of the applicant, in that, it is proof to the court that the applicant would not jump bail if granted the same. I note that there have been rulings denying the 1st defendant/applicant bail.”
Furthermore, he ruled that Kyari and his co-defendants are eligible for bail for the offenses they were charged.
“He has not committed a capital offence nor has it been proved that he is a flight risk. I, therefore, exercise my discretion in favour of the defendant/applicant.”
Further proceedings in the case were postponed by the court until October 18.
