A federal high court in Abuja has cleared suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of allegations that he failed to declare his assets. The court, led by Judge James Omotosho, ruled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) didn’t provide enough evidence to support its claims against Kyari and his co-defendants.
The NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge against Kyari, accusing him of hiding assets, and also charged his brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, with making false statements related to properties allegedly linked to him. But the judge found the prosecution’s case lacking, saying they failed to prove ownership of the properties in question.
Kyari had defended himself, saying a property in Borno belonged to his late father and was inherited by him and his siblings. The judge agreed, noting the prosecution didn’t dispute this claim. The court also dismissed conspiracy charges against Kyari’s brothers, saying there was no evidence to back them up.
The ruling means Kyari is acquitted of the asset declaration charges. However, he’s still facing a separate trial over alleged involvement in a cocaine deal.
