The disgraced Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing a drug trafficking charge, on Monday, has begged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja shamelessly not to remand him in prison custody.
The erstwhile super cop, who is famous for arresting criminals, is now defending a drug trafficking charge in court, after being arrested by the NDLEA for illicit drug trafficking, among others
The Anti Drug agency declared him wanted weeks ago when he turned down the invitation, extended to him by the anti Drug agency.
He was later arrested by Nigeria Police and transferred to the NDLEA, for further questioning
Kyari, through his lawyer, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court to allow him to remain in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.
The embattled DCP, who hitherto headed the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, made the request, after he pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge the NDLEA preferred against him and six others.
Vanguard Newspaper reports that he was docked before trial Justice Emeka Nwike, alongside four other police officers- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.
Whereas Kyari, dressed in blue native attire, and his police Co-Defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to allegations against them.
However, Agabi, SAN, while arguing that the charge against the Defendants contained bailable offences, he urged the court not to accede to request for facts in respect of Umeibe and Ezenwanne.
Agabi, SAN, contended that it will be prejudicial to his client for facts of the case to be reviewed and decision reached on it, while the trial is still subsisting.
He further made reference to cases were Defendants, out of ignorance, pleaded guilty to a charge against them.
“It is not in the interest of justice for the facts to be reviewed while the trial is still ongoing”, he added.
He noted that both Umeibe and Ezenwanne were also mentioned in some counts in the charge that involved Kyari and the others.
On his part, the Prosecution counsel, Mr. Sunday, maintained that reviewing the facts of the case would not prejudice DCP Kyari and the others.
“My lord, this sort of application by the Defence is to undermine the capacity of this court.
“This case to be considered on the basis of evidence before the court. I do not see how the 1st to 5th Defendants will be prejudiced since we are going to confront them with evidence against them”
“The most proper thing is to dispose the case against the 6th and 7th Defendants.
“It will be unjust and unfair to keep the two Defendants in custody, while waiting for conclusion of the trial of the others.
“It is better for them to be convicted to enable them to start serving their sentence”, the Prosecution added.