Court Clears Abba Kyari of 23-Count Asset Declaration Charges

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted and discharged suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari from a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of making false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the ownership and origin of certain properties.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present convincing evidence to support its claims, particularly those relating to the alleged non-declaration of landed assets. The judge explained that ownership of landed property can typically be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession linked through another party.

According to the court, the prosecution did not tender any documentation or credible proof showing that the properties located in Fountain Estate, Kasana said to belong to Ramatu Kyari were actually owned by Abba Kyari.

The court also ruled that the NDLEA failed to produce evidence connecting Kyari to other properties cited in the case, including those located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro and in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari had maintained that the Borno properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings. The court noted that the prosecution did not provide evidence to contradict this claim.

Justice Omotosho further held that the charges of conspiracy brought against Kyari’s brothers were not substantiated, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations.

Consequently, the court dismissed the case, describing the prosecution’s evidence as insufficient to sustain the charges.