By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory Command, on Thursday, March 5, disclosed that the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, is still in its custody.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Samson Duza, said this was in spite of Kyari being discharged in one of the cases against him.
Duza gave the clarification while reacting to reports that Kyari had been discharged by a court.
He explained that Kyari was facing two separate cases, noting that his discharge and acquittal only affected the charge bordering on alleged wrongful declaration of assets.
According to him, the court discharged Kyari in that case after ruling that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to sustain the allegations.
“He is having two cases. One for wrongful declaration of assets and the other for a drug-related offence.
“The one for wrongful declaration of assets is the one he was discharged for lack of merit or evidence.”
The PRO explained that the trial judge described the case as weak, adding that the prosecution was unable to substantiate the allegations brought against the suspended police officer.
He emphasised that Kyari remained in custody because the second case involving alleged drug offences was still before the court.
“The ongoing drug-related trial has not been concluded, and as such, Kyari would continue to remain in the custody of the NCoS pending the outcome of the proceedings,” he said.
Kyari, a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, has been facing legal battles following allegations linking him to drug trafficking activities.
The clarification by the correctional authorities followed widespread reports suggesting that Kyari has been fully discharged by the court.
The NCoS reiterated that the suspended police officer remains in lawful custody pending the determination of the drug-related case currently before the court.
