The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja challenging his detention by the National Dug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over allegations of illegal deals in hard drugs.
Kyari, who was arrested by the police and handed over to the NDLEA over his alleged involvement in a drugs trafficking cartel, has been in detention since February 15.
Other offences the force accused Kayari and his co-travellers of are discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct, official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel.
He filed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22 seeking an order of court to enforce his fundamental rights to liberty.
At the hearing of his suit on Monday, the Court turned down his request for bail.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, ordered Kyari to serve the respondent – the Federal Republic of Nigeria – with the processes filed and adjourned to February 24.
Justice Ekwo’s ruling was on an ex-parte motion argued on by Kyari’s lawyer, Cynthia Obianuju Ikena.
The judge held that the allegations made against the respondent are weighty, requiring that the court grant it an opportunity to be heard before a decision it taken.
Kyari is, in the substantive suit, challenging his continued detention by an agency of the Federal Government.
He claimed to be suffering from chronic diabetes, which he said was threatening his life and therefore requires urgent medical attention.