Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned till August 30 to deliver ruling on the bail application filed by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants.
The accused persons were being prosecuted by the Federal Government over alleged illicit drug deal.
The judge fixed the date after parties in the matter made submissions for and against the bail of the former Head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force and four others arraigned with him.
Making his submission, Dr. Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), who represented Kyari, fourth and fifth defendants in the eight-count charge, prayed the court to consider the recent terrorist attacks on the Kuje Custodian Centre and grant his clients bail.
According to him, the terrorists did not only enter the facility but also took over the prison for over three hours and the applicants did not run away, though they have the opportunity to do so.
While stating that the defendants/applicants would not jump bail if granted, Ikpeazu added that they would also not interfere with investigations as the prosecution had told the court that investigations in the matter have been completed.
Lawyer for the second defendant, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail in view of the health condition of his wife, whom he said, has been battling cancer and it is the second defendant that has been catering for her.
Counsel for the Federal Government and the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Sunday Joseph, however told the court to refuse the bail applications for Kyari and his co-defendants.
According to the prosecution in its counter affidavit, Kyari and his co-defendants are flight risks as they would tamper with the money laundering investigations and the witnesses lined up for the trial.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned till August 30, 2022 to rule on the bail applications.
Earlier, NDLEA tendered more evidence to prove the eight-count charge bordering on illicit drug deal preferred against Kyari and four others.
The prosecution counsel tendered the documentary evidence through the third witness called by the agency since the trial commenced on Monday.
Among the fresh evidence tendered through PW3, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, Peter Joshua, who is an exhibit officer attached with the FCT command of the NDLEA and admitted by the court as exhibits are the sum of $61, 400, certificate of test analysis, packing of substance forms and two big travelling bags containing the cocaine.
