Nigeria’s Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Monday, refused to order the Federal Government to release the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, from the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Instead, the judge ordered that Kyari should put the Federal Government on notice of the existence of the suit he instituted against it.
DCP Abba Kyari had dragged the Nigerian Government before the court challenging his continued detention by the NDLEA.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, Kyari, who is being held by the NDLEA over his alleged involvement in a drug deal, sought an order of the court to immediately release him and asked to be admitted to bail in liberal conditions.
In an Ex-Parte application argued by his counsel, Cynthia Ikena, the DCP Kyari claimed to be suffering from chronic diabetes threatening his life and, therefore, needed urgent medical attention.
In his brief ruling, Justice Ekwo declined to order his immediate release, but ordered him to put the respondent on notice.
The judge held that all the averments and allegations made against the Nigerian Government were so weighty that the court must give the government the opportunity to respond and hear from it before taking any step.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to Thursday for the parties to appear before him.