Abba Kyari, suspended deputy police commissioner, was released from Kuje Custodial Centre after 27 months. Arrested in February 2022 for alleged drug cartel links, Kyari received bail to attend his mother's burial. Warmly welcomed by family, his release follows ongoing legal proceedings. Court to review main bail application.
Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police, was warmly welcomed by family and friends following his release from the Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday. A video and pictures posted on social media platform X on Saturday showed Kyari seated with his delighted family members. One image displayed balloon decorations with the message, "Welcome Back."
Kyari's release marks 27 months since his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on February 14, 2022. He was taken into custody over alleged links with an international drug cartel. Kyari, along with Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, members of the police intelligence response team (IRT), was arraigned on March 7, 2022. Additionally, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two suspected drug traffickers arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged.
Upon arraignment, Kyari and the four other defendants pleaded not guilty, while Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the sixth and seventh defendants, pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted. On May 22, 2024, presiding judge Emeka Nwite granted Kyari a two-week bail to attend his mother Yachilla Kyari's burial rites, following her death on May 5. The judge mandated Kyari to deposit his international passport with the court and report to an NDLEA formation during the bail period.
Kyari filed another bail application, with the judge scheduling May 31 for its determination. After fulfilling his bail conditions, Kyari was released on Friday.
