Nigerian court grants suspended ex-police chief Abba Kyari two-week temporary bail on compassionate grounds, despite facing drug trafficking and criminal network charges.
In a highly anticipated decision, a Nigerian federal court has granted Abba Kyari, the suspended former commander of the Nigerian Police Force's Intelligence Response Team, a two-week temporary bail release on compassionate grounds. Kyari, who is facing charges related to alleged drug trafficking and links to criminal networks, was granted bail by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
The court's order, delivered on Tuesday, set Kyari's bail at N50 million (approximately $110,000) and required a surety in the same amount, with his counsel in the case acting as the surety. Additionally, Kyari must surrender his international passport to the court and report to the nearest National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office during the granted period.
The temporary bail comes nearly three weeks after Kyari lost his mother, Yachilla Kyari, on May 5th, 2024, suggesting that the court granted the release on compassionate grounds related to the bereavement.
Kyari's legal team celebrated the decision as a positive step, while prosecutors expressed concerns over the temporary release and indicated their intention to appeal the ruling.
The case against Kyari, who was arrested in February 2022 over alleged links with an international drug cartel, has garnered significant attention due to his formerly elite position within the Nigerian police force. It is seen as a crucial test of the country's commitment to combating corruption and drug trafficking within its law enforcement ranks.
The decision to grant temporary bail on compassionate grounds highlights the complexities of weighing humanitarian factors against serious criminal charges in legal proceedings, a delicate balance that courts must navigate.
