A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge relating to the alleged non-declaration of assets.

The charges were filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which accused Kyari and two of his brothers of attempting to conceal the origin of certain properties through false affidavits.


In a judgement delivered on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge noted that the NDLEA did not provide convincing documentary evidence linking Kyari to several properties cited in the charge. Among them were parcels of land at Fountain Estate in Kasana, allegedly owned by Ramatu Kyari, as well as buildings located on Linda Choko Road in the Asokoro area of Abuja and others in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of land can be demonstrated through various legal means, including title documents, evidence of possession, traditional history, or proof of possession through association. According to him, none of these were sufficiently proven by the prosecution.

Kyari had earlier told the court that the properties in Maiduguri belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings. The judge said the prosecution failed to counter this claim with credible evidence.

The court also found no basis for the conspiracy allegations levelled against Kyari’s brothers.

Following the ruling, the court discharged and acquitted the defendants on all counts.