A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday turned down the bail application by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari.

In a ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered Kyari to put the respondent – the Federal Republic of Nigeria – on notice.

Justice Ekwo’s ruling was on an ex parte motion argued by Kyari’s lawyer, Cynthia Ikena.

The judge held that the allegations against the government are weighty, requiring that the court needed to hear them before taking a decision.

He adjourned till February 24. Kyari had, in the ex parte motion, prayed to be granted bail pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also prayed that processes in the case be served on the Legal Department of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In a supporting affidavit, Muhamad Nur Usman, who claimed to be Kyari’s younger brother, said the embattled police officer was framed up and that his involvement in the drug case was only to assist a friend.

Usman accused some unnamed NDLEA officials of providing cover for a particular drug dealer.

He also claimed that Kyari suffered some health challenges that required urgent medical attention.

Also, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said the former Commander of the defunct Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police, Abba Kyari, will be charged to court as soon it concludes its investigations.

Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), is in the custody of the NDLEA for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.  The agency’s spokesman Femi Babafemi told The Nation yesterday that it was for this reason the NDLEA approached the court last week to seek more time to keep Kyari in its custody until a thorough investigation is done.

Though he did not give a time frame, the spokesman said as soon as investigations are concluded, the agency would head to court