A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former commander of the Force Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, after 27 months in detention. Kyari has been released on a two-week bail to conclude the burial rites of his mother, Yachilla Kyari.
The court set May 31 as the date to determine his bail application in the ongoing trial over drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Kyari was arrested on February 14, 2022, on charges related to drug trafficking.
Kyari’s mother, Yachilla Kyari, passed away on May 5, 2024, and was buried according to Islamic rites the same day. Though Kyari was unable to attend the burial, residents of Borno State turned out in large numbers to pay their respects. Yachilla is survived by ten children, with Abba Kyari being the eldest.
In 2022, the Police Service Commission (PSC) suspended Kyari along with two senior police officers, Sunday Ubua and James Bawa, who were implicated in a cocaine deal.
“The Police Service Commission has suspended assistant commissioner of police, ACP Sunday Ubua, and assistant superintendent of police, ASP James Bawa from the exercise of the powers and functions of their respective offices with effect from Monday, 14th February 2022,” the PSC stated.
The NDLEA declared Kyari wanted for alleged connections to an international drug cartel. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babalola alleged that Kyari and his team arrested drug traffickers arriving from Ethiopia with 25kg of cocaine but kept 15kg of the seized substance for themselves.
The upcoming court date on May 31 will be crucial in determining Kyari’s future as he faces serious charges that could have significant implications for his career and personal life.