BREAKING: Court Discharges, Acquits Suspended Super Cop DCP Abba Kyari of All Charges in NDLEA Asset Case
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Judge Rules Prosecution Failed to Prove Ownership of Property Linked to Embattled Police Officer
A federal high court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to establish its case against Kyari and the other defendants.
Ejes Gist News reports that Kyari was charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing false affidavits to conceal the origin of some property allegedly linked to the police officer.
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The Judgment
Delivering the verdict, Justice Omotosho said the NDLEA did not present sufficient evidence to prove that the property cited in the charge belonged to Kyari.
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The judge explained that ownership of landed property can be proven through:
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Traditional history
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Title documents
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Acts of possession
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Possession connected to ownership
He said none of these forms of proof was presented by the prosecution to show that the property located in Fountain Estate, Kasana—said to belong to Ramatu Kyari—was owned by the suspended police officer.
Justice Omotosho also held that the prosecution failed to produce evidence linking Kyari to other property referenced in the charge, including those located on:
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Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja
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Maiduguri, Borno State
Kyari’s Defence
In his defence, Kyari had told the court that the property in Borno belonged to his late father and was inherited by him and his siblings.
The judge said the prosecution did not disprove this claim.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the charge of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers—Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari—holding that the allegation was not substantiated by evidence.
He described the prosecution’s case as “weak and lacking in credible proof.”
Judge’s Remarks
The judge added that Kyari had served the country and should not be subjected to persecution in the absence of convincing evidence.
The remarks are significant, acknowledging Kyari’s years of service in the Nigeria Police Force, where he gained prominence as the head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and earned a reputation for high-profile crime busting.
The Charges
The NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge against Kyari and his brothers, alleging:
| Charge | Allegation |
|---|---|
| Non-declaration of assets | Failure to declare property allegedly owned by Kyari |
| Conspiracy | Brothers accused of swearing false affidavits |
| Concealment | Attempts to hide origin of property |
All charges have now been dismissed by the court.
Separate Trial Continues
Meanwhile, Kyari and four other suspended police officers are also facing a separate trial before Justice Emeka Nwite over alleged involvement in a cocaine deal.
In that case:
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Two drug traffickers arrested in connection with the matter, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were convicted and sentenced to two years in prison in 2022.
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Kyari and the other officers are still facing trial.
That case is ongoing and separate from today’s ruling.
Reactions
The judgment has elicited mixed reactions from the public and legal community.
Supporters of Kyari have hailed the ruling as a vindication, arguing that he has been unfairly targeted.
Critics, however, note that today’s acquittal relates specifically to the asset declaration charges and does not affect the ongoing cocaine-related trial.
Legal analysts point out that the judgment underscores the importance of evidence in criminal prosecutions.
“The court has simply said the prosecution did not bring enough evidence to prove its case,” one lawyer noted. “That is not the same as saying Kyari is innocent of everything—it means on these specific charges, the evidence was insufficient.”
What This Means
| Element | Implication |
|---|---|
| Asset Declaration Charges | Dismissed. Kyari and brothers acquitted. |
| Ongoing Cocaine Trial | Still proceeding before Justice Nwite. |
| Kyari’s Status | Remains suspended from police force. |
| NDLEA Case | Suffers major legal setback. |
Key Takeaways
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Abba Kyari (Suspended DCP) |
| Co-Defendants | Mohammed Kyari, Ali Kyari (brothers) |
| Court | Federal High Court, Abuja |
| Judge | Justice James Omotosho |
| Charges | 23-count asset declaration, conspiracy |
| Verdict | Discharged and acquitted |
| Reason | Prosecution failed to prove ownership of property |
| Separate Trial | Ongoing cocaine deal case before Justice Nwite |
What Happens Next
Kyari remains a free man regarding these specific charges but will still have to face the separate cocaine-related trial.
His legal team has expressed satisfaction with today’s ruling, while the NDLEA has not yet issued a statement on whether it plans to appeal.
Ejes Gist News Nigeria will continue to monitor the ongoing cocaine trial and provide updates on Abba Kyari’s legal battles.
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