Amanze Chinonye
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his two brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, describing the case as “persecution” rather than a legitimate prosecution.
The NDLEA had accused the defendants of concealing and misdeclaring several assets allegedly linked to the suspended police officer.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the charges, investigators claimed to have uncovered about 14 properties, including shopping malls, residential estates, farmlands, a polo playground and plots of land in Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State, which were allegedly not properly declared.
The agency also alleged that more than ₦207 million and €17,598 were traced to bank accounts associated with Kyari.
The anti-narcotics agency further accused Mohammed and Ali Kyari of swearing affidavits purportedly aimed at disguising the ownership of some of the properties.
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However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and challenged the prosecution’s claims during the trial.
In his defence, Kyari told the court that several of the properties listed by the prosecution belonged to his late father and were inherited family assets shared among siblings.
He also maintained that his personal assets and those of his wife were duly declared in compliance with the law.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking the properties to Kyari.
The court noted that ownership of landed property must be established through recognised legal means such as title documents, acts of possession, traditional history or other credible evidence, adding that none of these were adequately presented by the prosecution.
The judge also ruled that the NDLEA failed to prove that the Kyari brothers conspired to conceal the ownership of any property through false affidavits.
Consequently, the court dismissed the charges and acquitted the defendants.
Despite the ruling, the judgment applies only to the asset declaration case filed by the NDLEA.
Kyari remains a defendant in a separate criminal trial involving alleged drug-related offences brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which is still pending before the Federal High Court.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
