Court Clears Abba Kyari of 23-Count Asset Declaration Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge related to alleged failure to declare assets.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support the allegations brought against Kyari by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Kyari had been arraigned alongside two of his brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in what prosecutors claimed was an attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.

In his ruling, the judge explained that ownership of landed property can be established through traditional history, title documentation, acts of possession, or possession connected to ownership. However, he said the prosecution did not provide any of these forms of evidence to demonstrate that properties in Fountain Estate, Karsana—said to belong to Ramatu Kyari—were actually owned by the police officer.

The court further held that investigators failed to present material evidence linking Kyari to other properties allegedly located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as in Maiduguri, Borno State.

During the proceedings, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings. According to the court, the prosecution did not provide proof to contradict that claim.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the decision to charge Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, noting that the allegation was not supported by credible evidence.

The judge described the case as weak and lacking the necessary proof required to sustain the charges, adding that the defendants were entitled to be discharged.