ABUJA, Nigeria – Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, will remain in custody despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kyari, alongside his brothers, Mohammed Baba and Ali, is facing charges for failure to declare assets.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, brought a 24-count charge against Kyari over his failure to declare properties allegedly linked to him.
Justice James Omotosho granted Kyari bail on Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the sum of N50 million, and two sureties of the same amount.
The sureties must have property worth N25 million within the court’s jurisdiction.
Despite the bail, the final release of Kyari depends on developments in a sister case in which he and others are charged with drug-related offences.
Justice Omotosho stated that Kyari’s release warrant in the case he is presiding over would only be signed if the other pending criminal cases conclude or if bail is granted in those cases.
The judge said: “He has not committed a capital offence neither has it been proved that he is a flight risk. I, therefore, exercise my discretion in favour of the defendant/applicant.”
Justice Omotosho set October 18, 2023, for the next hearing.
Kyari was previously denied bail on March 23, 2023, for the second time by Justice Emeka Nwite in the drug-related offences.
Two civilians charged alongside Kyari, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were sentenced to two years each after pleading guilty.
