News
Alleged cocaine deal: Court denies Abba Kyari, others’ bail plea
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, refused to grant bail to the suspended DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers charged with alleged drug trafficking.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, are four members of the disbanded Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), including Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the defendants had not placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant granting the request.
Justice Nwite said that granting bail was at the discretion of the court which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
NAN reports that the suspended IRT boss was detained following his arrest on Feb. 14, 2022 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged involvement in cocaine deal.
Kyari, along with four suspended officers, was arraigned on March 7, 2022.
Two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged.
While Kyari and the IRT members pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were convicted.
Meanwhile, Kyari, in his fresh application for bail, said he had spent two years in pre-trial detention by March 7, far in excess of one year which the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 deemed exceptional circumstances, even for person charged with capital offence.
Citing Section 161(2)(b) and (c) of ACJA, Kyari, through his lawyer, argued that this development was thus a core consideration for the purpose of the exercise of court’s discretion to either grant or refuse bail.
He also argued that the facts and circumstances stated in the earlier rulings of the court as necessitating the refusal of his bail application no longer existed as 15 out of 16 of the prosecution witnesses had already testified, citing Section 124(1)(b) of the Evidence Act, 2011.
He further argued that his continued detention violated his fundamental human rights.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite held that the discretion of the court remains throughout the course of trial in a criminal case which can always be exercised to meet the merit and justice of each case.
He said the paramount considerations in the exercise of the discretion are for the defendants to answer to their charges without jumping bail, and not to be in a position to interfer with investigation or tamper with prosecution witnesses, thereby, undermining the administration of criminal justice and constitute a threat to wellbeing of the society by committing similar or other offences.
“The question begging for answer at this juncture is, having addressed these issues in the court rulings of 28th of March, 2022 and 30th of August, 2022, what has changed to distort my findings in the two rulings?,” he asked.
The judge said though Kyari stated in his affidavit that the trial had lasted for two years and that the prosecution had called 15 out of its 16 witnesses, he said Section 161 (2)(b)(c) cited by the applicant only talks about offence publishable with death penalty.
He said juxtaposing the section with Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, one would see that there was no breach of the provisions of Section 161(2)(b)(c).
Justice Nwite held that “Section 35(1) stated that a person who is charged with an offence and has been detained in lawful custody and awaiting trial shall not continue to be kept in such detention for a period higher than the maximum period of imprisonment.
“It is not in dispute that the offence which the 1st defendant/applicant is charged carried a maximum punishment of 25 years.”
According to him, in other words, the one year stipulated in Section 161(2)(b) and (c) of ACJA, 2015 is of no moment in view of provision of Section 35(1) oh the 1999 Constitution (as amended)..
The judge said the constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons.
Justice Nwite, therefore, held that, having addressed the issues in his earlier rulings, he was of the view that nothing had changed to distort his findings.
The judge, who refused the bail application for Kyari, including other suspended police officers, sustained his earlier order on accelerated hearing.(NAN
The Death Toll of New Nigerian Newspaper Retirees waiting for payment of their benefits from Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has reached 110 on Sunday with the death of Alhaji Aliyu Modibbo Yola, who was the first son of late Alhaji Mai Borno ex Central Bank Governor of Nigeria.
A statement on NSGF Beneficiaries Whatsapp platform by his bossom friend Magaji lsa Hunkuyi said he died in the early hours of today Sunday 6th April, 2025 at Federal Medical Centre Yola, after a brief illness.
“Inna lillahi wainna alaihun rajihun Aliyu Modibbo Yola died at early hours of today Sunday at Federal Medical Centre Yola. May the Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdausi Amin” Hunkuyi prayed.
“He was in the NNN desk and was later transferred to Yola, Adamawa state his home town as state Editor NNN after the death of his Father Alhaji Aliyu Mai Borno a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN who’s his photo is in N1000 note.
The last time we spoken on telephone, about four days ago, he prayed that “may Allah help us to collect our benefits from Northern Governors with our hands” He added.
Recounting his relationship with late Aliyu Modibbo, in the early 1980s when he was working at the Newsroom of the NNN in Kaduna, while he Magaji Isa Hunkuyi was reporting for National Concord and later transferred to Yola in 1992 as chief correspondent of the National Concord where they met and maintained a more close relationship the relationship continued even after l was posted to Taraba State as a principal reporter by the New Nigerian Newspaper.
He said he and late Aliyu had spoken for the last time few days ago before his phone was switched off.
According to him, he tried Aliyu’s line luckily the line was on but a strange voice answered the call.
“Where is the owner of the phone? but the person who answered the call calmly said the owner of the is my father and he died at about 4am today Sunday.
May the Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdausi Amin.” Hunkuyi said
Last week Saturday, the death of Ado Umar at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna brought the total number of beneficiaries awaiting payment from Northern Governors to 109.
Reports say that the number of beneficiaries in dear need of medical attention is 35.
Northern States Governors Forum under Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State raked in 7 billion naira after selling New Nigerian Newspaper properties in the name of paying NNN beneficiaries but until now no penny has been paid out of the 2.5 Billion naira owed the retirees.
Meanwhile recent interactions of New Nigerian Newspaper Elders Forum with the Northern States’ Governors Secretariat suggests that efforts may have been underway to pay the retirees however no specific time frame was stipulated
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) has strongly condemned the brutal killings of innocent residents in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, described the attack that claimed at least 52 lives as barbaric, tragic, and utterly unacceptable.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, and the people of the state over what he termed “yet another senseless bloodshed.”
Hayab expressed deep concern over the recurring violence plaguing communities across Northern Nigeria, noting that the persistent culture of bloodshed continues to claim innocent lives.
“We totally condemn this strange and evil culture of taking human lives. Hiding under religion, ethnicity, or any guise to unleash terror on communities is unacceptable. Our societal value for human life has dangerously eroded, and this must not be allowed to continue,” the statement read.
” We’re heartbroken by the latest carnage, our prayers are with the victims’ families and the affected communities in Bokkos.
“This bloodletting must stop. We urge security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure they face the full weight of the law. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The pattern of mass killings and mass burials repeated in different communities year after year must be broken through firm and proactive measures,” the statement continued.
The Christian body also called on religious, traditional, and community leaders to preach peace, unity, and tolerance among their people.
“These wanton killings must not become the new normal. Nigeria must not degenerate into a nation where human lives are wasted without consequences. We must all rise and say, ‘Enough is enough,’” it stated.
While commending the Plateau State Government for its swift response and the reported arrests, the association urged the government to remain steadfast in its commitment to peace, justice, and security.
Northern CAN also appealed to citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace. We pray that God comforts the bereaved families and grants healing to the wounded and affected communities,” the statement concluded.
Lacopo Foti, the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, says his country is ready to collaborate with Kaduna manufacturing and technology, pledging to support investments from Italian companies in the state.
Foti spoke during a courtesy visit to Hadiza Balarabe, Kaduna’s deputy governor, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday.
The envoy also highlighted Italy’s willingness to collaborate with the state government.
“We have come to introduce ourselves, learn about the government’s plans, and see if there are investments which you want the Italian Embassy to facilitate,” Foti was quoted as saying in a statement.
“If there are private investments you desire in Kaduna, especially in machinery or manufacturing, or if you have plans for the next few years, let us know. If you’re interested in agricultural machinery companies like tractor plants, we can make contact with them.”
The ambassador also encouraged the state government to approach the Italian embassy for partnerships.
“We are ready to collaborate in manufacturing, technology and other areas,” he added.
Foti expressed optimism that in the coming months, Italy and Kaduna would collaborate on agriculture, education, and training — pending proposals from the state regarding their interests to present to the Italian government.
He said Italian investors would find Kaduna’s climate more favourable than Abuja’s, noting that the state is also people-friendly.
“We have Italians living here; this visit is an opportunity to meet them and see how we can help them and the State Government,” the envoy noted.
In response, Balarabe acknowledged the long-standing relationship between Italy and Nigeria, expressing interest in strengthening economic ties.
She highlighted Kaduna’s advantages in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, energy, technology, and human capital development, noting that the state is the largest producer of maize, tomatoes, and ginger in Nigeria.
“Italy excels in manufacturing, technology, education, and renewable energy. I hope we can establish collaboration in these areas,” the deputy governor said.
Balarabe, who directed the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) to prepare a proposal for the Italian embassy, also expressed hope that the ambassador’s visit would initiate substantial discussions between the state and Italy.
She said Kaduna looks forward to further engagement with the ambassador, expressing hope that it would not be his last visit to the state.