Court Acquits Suspended DCP Abba Kyari

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

Kyari was arraigned alongside two of his brothers, who were accused of conspiring with him and allegedly swearing to false affidavits to conceal the origin and ownership of certain landed properties.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to establish the allegations against the defendants.

The court noted that the charges were largely based on claims that Kyari failed to declare certain landed properties allegedly linked to him.

However, the judge explained that under Nigerian law, ownership of landed property must be established through recognised means such as traditional history, valid title documents, acts of possession, or proof of possession connected to the claimant.

According to the court, the prosecution failed to tender any of these forms of evidence to establish that properties located at Fountain Estate, Karsana, Abuja, which were said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were in fact owned by the suspended police officer.

Justice Omotosho also held that the NDLEA did not provide documentary or material evidence linking Kyari to other properties cited in the charge, including those allegedly located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari had maintained that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings.

The court noted that the prosecution failed to disprove the claim or provide contrary evidence.

Justice Omotosho further ruled that the allegations of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers were not substantiated, stating that the prosecution did not present credible evidence to support the claim that they swore false affidavits to conceal property ownership.

Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted Kyari and the co-defendants of all charges.

Kyari, a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, has faced multiple legal battles in recent years following allegations relating to financial misconduct and links to international fraud suspects.

The NDLEA had filed the asset declaration case as part of its broader investigation into Kyari’s financial dealings and property acquisitions.

The ruling marks a significant legal development for the suspended police officer, who has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that the allegations against him were unfounded.