November 26, 2025
Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Wednesday again maintained that he properly declared all his assets, as well as those belonging to his wife, in line with legal requirements. Kyari made the assertion before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja during continued cross-examination by counsel for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Sunday Joseph.
Joseph confronted Kyari with allegations of false declarations, saying: “I put it to you that everything you said about the properties was untrue.”
Responding, Kyari insisted: “I have declared all my assets, and I have declared the assets of my wife. They went and lie at the Federal High Court in Maiduguri that I declared the Polo Ground (in Borno) as my asset. Everything I and my wife have, I have declared them.”
Kyari also told the court that he never benefited from his late father’s property despite widespread assumptions. “I did not get anything from my father’s properties. I did not get, even ‘shishi’ from the properties,” he said.
After the cross-examination, his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, indicated there would be no re-examination, stating: “That is the case for the 1st defendant and we are very grateful for my lord’s indulgence.” Counsel for the second and third defendants also announced they would not be calling any witnesses, instead resting fully on the prosecution’s case.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until December 12 for adoption of final written addresses.
Kyari, former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), had earlier denied ownership of several assets the NDLEA linked to him, including a polo ground in Borno State. He testified that many of the properties listed by the prosecution belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children.
The NDLEA, in a 23-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022), is prosecuting Abba Kyari alongside his brothers, Mohammed and Ali. The agency alleges that the trio failed to fully disclose their assets, disguised ownership of certain properties, and engaged in the conversion of funds in violation of anti-narcotics and money-laundering laws. They have all pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered 20 exhibits before resting its case. Although the defendants filed a no-case submission, arguing that the NDLEA failed to prove ownership of the properties, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application and ruled that a prima facie case had been established.
Kyari’s legal team had relied on Section 128 of the Evidence Act, asserting that land transactions can only be proven with certified title documents. However, the court held that the defendants must enter their defence to clarify the issues raised.
As the case progresses, the debate over the true ownership and disclosure of the disputed assets remains central to the charges facing Kyari and his co-defendants.
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