A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge involving alleged asset non-declaration.
The case was filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which accused Kyari and two of his brothers of concealing the ownership of several properties through false affidavits.
However, in his ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to provide convincing evidence linking Kyari to the properties mentioned in the charges.
Court Says Evidence Was Not Sufficient
According to the judge, the NDLEA did not present credible documents proving that Kyari owned or secretly controlled the disputed properties.
The court specifically noted the lack of proof connecting him to:
A property located in Fountain Estate, Kasana
A residence on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja
Additional properties in Maiduguri, Borno State
Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property can be established through title documents, traditional history, acts of possession, or proof of connection to the land.
None of these forms of evidence were adequately provided by the prosecution during the trial.
Inherited Property Claim Not Disproved
During the proceedings, Kyari maintained that the Maiduguri properties cited in the charges were inherited family assets belonging to his late father.
The judge ruled that the prosecution failed to contradict or disprove this explanation.
As a result, the court also dismissed the conspiracy allegations against Kyari’s two brothers, who had been accused of helping conceal the origins of the properties through sworn affidavits.
Final Judgment: All Charges Dismissed
After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the court concluded that the prosecution did not establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Omotosho therefore discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari and his brothers on all counts.
The ruling marks a major development in the long-running legal battle involving the suspended police officer and the anti-narcotics agency.
