A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari over allegations of non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the 23-count charge brought against the police officer.
Kyari had been charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of allegedly swearing false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution did not establish proof of ownership of the landed properties cited in the charges. The court noted that ownership of land can typically be proven through traditional history, valid title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.
However, the judge said the NDLEA did not provide any of these documents to demonstrate that the property located in Fountain Estate, Karsana—said to belong to Ramatu Kyari—was actually owned by the suspended police officer.
The court also found that the prosecution failed to produce evidence linking Kyari to other properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.
During the trial, Kyari maintained that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings. The court held that the prosecution did not present evidence to contradict that claim.
Justice Omotosho further ruled that the allegation of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers was not substantiated by credible evidence.
Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted the defendants of all charges.
