Abba Kyri, the suspended deputy commissioner of police who has been in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) since February 12, has been transferred to Kuje Correctional Center pending the ruling of his case.
A Federal High court in Abuja ordered his transfer on Monday.
Kyri was arraigned on March 7 over allegations of drug trafficking alongside Sunday J Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu who are members of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — two alleged drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, the agency accused the defendants of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.
Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty.
However, the sixth and seventh defendants pleaded guilty and begged the court to “have mercy”.
At the court session on Monday, Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, rejected the bail request of the defendants.
The judge held that the NDLEA placed sufficient materials before it to warrant the refusal of bail to Kyari and his co-defendants.
Thereafter, the judge ruled that Kyari and four others be remanded in Kuje correctional center while the sixth and seventh defendants who pleaded guilty, should be remanded in Suleja correctional center.
The judge has fixed April 27 to rule on an application for review of facts.
Joseph Sunday, prosecution counsel, is pleading with the court to examine the fact of the case relating to the sixth and seventh defendants.
But Kanu Agabi, counsel to Kyari and the second defendant, said examining the facts will be prejudicial to the trial of his clients.
“If you review the facts, you’ll have to make findings that will be prejudicial to the trial,”
“The facts are interwoven and the danger in this circumstance is that the findings in respect to one are the findings concerning all”, He said.
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