BREAKING: Court discharges, acquits Abba Kyari over alleged asset non-declaration

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 over alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

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

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations against the defendants, which centred mainly on the alleged non-declaration of landed properties.

The judge explained that ownership of landed property can be proven through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession linked to ownership.

However, the prosecution failed to present documents establishing that the properties in Fountain Estate, Kasana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were actually owned by Abba Kyari.

The court also held that the prosecution could not provide evidence connecting Kyari to other properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari argued that the Borno properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings a claim the prosecution did not successfully dispute.

Justice Omotosho further noted that Kyari’s brothers were charged with conspiracy in bad faith, as the prosecution failed to establish the alleged offence.

The court ultimately described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence.