A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on the alleged non-declaration of assets.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations brought against Kyari by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The charges also involved Kyari’s two brothers, who were accused of conspiring to swear false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to prove that the properties in question were owned by the suspended police officer.
The judge explained that ownership of landed property can be established through recognised legal means such as title documents, acts of possession, traditional history, or possession linked to ownership. However, he noted that the prosecution did not provide any of these forms of evidence to support its claims.
Justice Omotosho specifically referenced properties located at Fountain Estate in Kasana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, noting that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that the assets were linked to Abba Kyari.
The court also found no material evidence tying the defendant to other properties reportedly located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, or in Maiduguri, Borno State.
During the trial, Kyari had maintained that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings, a claim the court said was not disproved by the prosecution.
The judge further held that the allegations of conspiracy brought against Kyari’s brothers were not substantiated, describing the charges as lacking credible proof.
Based on the findings, the court discharged and acquitted all the defendants of the charges.