A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday denied bail to the embattled deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, and four others in a case of alleged drug trafficking.
Justice Emeka Nwite, however, fixed the trial for October 19, 20 and 21.
Kyari and the others are being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on allegations bordering on a cocaine deal.
Kyari was arraigned alongside four suspended police officers including ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu as second to fifth defendants respectively.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite said the applicants failed to present sufficient materials and evidence to warrant the granting of the fresh application.
Justice Nwite, therefore, reaffirmed his earlier ruling of March 28, 2022, ordering an accelerated hearing.
The suspects are to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, pending the commencement of their trial in October.
This is coming a day after another judge in the court struck out an application the Federal Government filed for permission to extradite Kyari to the United States to face trial over his alleged involvement with convicted internet fraudster Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi.
Ruling on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo said that the application was “incompetent and bereft of merit.”
Justice Ekwo said that the attorney general of the federation Abubakar Malami ought to be aware that the Extradition Act, forbade the surrendering of a defendant that is already facing trial before a competent court in the country.
