Indicted former police boss and team lead of intelligence Response Team, (IRT )Abba Kyari rejects prison food and opts to eat food prepared only by his wife or family members.
Kyari, who is under prosecution for drug trafficking alongside four other policemen, was denied bail by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Recall that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had in charges before the court, accused Kyari and four other officers of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.
The judge, Emeka Nwike, denied Kyari bail and gave an order for him and others involved in the case to be remanded in Prison.
The court held that the NDLEA placed sufficient materials before it to warrant the refusal of bail to Kyari and his co-defendants -Sunday Ubia, Simon Agirgba, and John Nuhu, who are former IRT members.
Findings yesterday showed that Kyari and his co-defendants have settled down in the custodial centre but sources said the DCP has largely kept to himself since his arrival on Monday.
Inmates, it was gathered, are vey excited to have Kyari present in their midst as many have had encounters with him before being jailed.
An officer at Kuje prisons hints that Kyari doesn’t eat prison food.
“We suspected that he may not eat the food being served here. So, we were not surprised when he opted for the food prepared by his wife or family members.
“His presence has, however, generated excitement in the facility. Many inmates who have had some encounters with him and others who heard about his ongoing trial have been discussing the fact that a senior policeman like him was remanded in Kuje where some individuals he investigated are also serving time.”
NCoS spokesman, Francis Enobore, says inmates facing prosecution have the right to eat food prepared by their family members, noting that they are free to provide their own food.
“Our law allows us to request any inmate who wishes to do self-feeding to apply through a formal application to the officer in-charge of the custodial centre. Subject to the approval of the official in-charge, the applicant will make arrangements with whoever he wishes to bring food for him.”
“The caveat is that if the person fails to bring food, he would not be fed from the service’s kitchen. Again, whoever is bringing his food, it is compulsory the person tastes the food in the presence of the officer conducting the visit to ensure that the food is wholesome before passing it over to the inmate.”
Apart from alcohol and cigarettes, he informs, any type of food could be allowed to be taken by inmates in the prison provided it’s from close family members.