A Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a bail application filed by ASP Bawa James, a co-defendant in the drug trafficking case preferred against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and others.
While rulling on the bail application filed by one of the defendants, ASP James justice Emeka Nwite held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had succeeded to prove its argument beyond doubt why the court should not admit him to a bail.
The judge aligned with the argument of counsel for NDLEA, Joseph Sunday, that James was a flight risk as he might jump bail despite the argument of the defence counsel that James had a good record as staff of the Nigerian police and had conducted himself well in the course of the trial.
Justice Nwite had, on March 28, adjourned for ruling on bail application filed by James after Kyari and other co-defendants’ bail application were rejected on the grounds that James’ application was not ripe for hearing.
The NDLEA had, on March 7, arraigned Kyari and six others on allegations bordering on cocaine deal.
He was arraigned alongside four suspended police officers including ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively..
Also arraigned with them are Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, the two alleged drug traffickers who were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Although the five officers pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, who are 6th and 7th defendants respectively, pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
