Did Tinubu Order Release, Reinstatement of Abba Kyari? Fact Emerges

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was alleged to have ordered the release and reinstatement of police deputy commissioner Abba Kyari.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Kyari on February 14, 2022.

The celebrated police officer was also accused by the United States (US) investigation of conspiring with Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi) to commit money laundering.
As reported by Dubawa, an Instagram user, Northern Connect, claimed in a post that President Tinubu ordered Kyari’s release and reinstatement to the police force on July 20, 2025.
Kyari once led the police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in the country before he was arrested.
Comments from the post showed that many people believed the news and assumed President Tinubu was strategically gaining Northern supporters before the 2027 election.
Verification
After several searches on Google, it was discovered that no credible media platform reported that President Tinubu ordered the release of Kyari from prison and his reinstatement to the Nigeria Police Force.
Finding shows that Kyari was ordered to surrender his passport after he was temporarily released from prison custody to conclude his mother’s final burial rites and to report regularly to the NDLEA.
However, the court granted Kyari a conditional bail in May 2024 after spending 27 months in detention.
When the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, was contacted to react to the viral claim on social media, he said:
“Ask the Federal Government, please. I think that’s the best way to go.”
Conclusion
The viral claim that President Tinubu ordered the release of Kyari from prison and reinstated him into the police is false.
No credible news organisation reported that President Tinubu ordered Kyari’s release and reinstatement.
Court Denies Granting Bail to Abba Kyari
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja said the court has the power to release Kyari, but would not do that because of the gravity of the allegations against him.
The court also said that the defendant has not presented any evidence for him to be granted bail.
Court refuses to quash Kyari’s drug trafficking case
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that the suspended deputy commissioner of police lost out in his bid to quash his alleged drug trafficking case.
Kyari had requested that the unlawful drug deal charge against him and his co-defendants be dropped.
Legit.ng reports that Abba Kyari, a well-respected super cop until his arrest, has been facing prosecution for illicit drug trafficking charges since 2022.