The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets.
The charges were filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which accused Kyari and his two brothers of concealing properties and swearing false affidavits to obscure the origin of certain assets.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The court held that the NDLEA did not present reliable documentation linking Kyari to landed properties at Fountain Estate, Kasana, reportedly associated with Ramatu Kyari, or to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice Omotosho noted that ownership of landed property can be established through traditional history, valid title documents, acts of possession, or possession through connection. However, he said none of these legal requirements were satisfactorily proven by the prosecution.
The judge further stated that Kyari’s explanation that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings was not effectively challenged or disproved in court. He added that the allegation of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers was also not established.
Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted Kyari and the other defendants on all counts.
