A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the non-disclosure of assets charges against Abba Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police, and his younger siblings on Thursday.
Judge James Omotosho ruled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) failed to sufficiently demonstrate that Kyari and his brothers concealed their assets beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, it is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove criminal cases, a burden the NDLEA did not meet.
He characterized the charges against Kyari and his brothers – Mohammed and Ali Kyari – as "persecution."
As a result, the court acquitted the defendants of all allegations concerning asset concealment.
Nevertheless, this verdict does not impact the ongoing trial involving Mr. Kyari in relation to a cocaine trafficking case, which is being presided over by Judge Emeka Nwite.
Kyari, along with four other police colleagues, faces charges related to the drug case. They have been denied bail and remain under judicial custody.
The NDLEA initiated the asset concealment case against Kyari, the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and his two brothers in 2022. They were accused of failing to fully disclose their assets.
Investigations revealed that Kyari allegedly possessed 14 assets, such as shopping malls and residential properties, which were not declared. The charges also include various amounts identified in Kyari's bank accounts totaling N207 million and €17,598.
The agency claims that their actions fall under the purview of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011.
During the trial, Kyari denied owning several properties connected to him, asserting that some belonged to his deceased father. He provided evidence that some documents related to the assets are lodged with the Ministry of Land in Borno State.
Kyari mentioned that the allegations regarding the ownership of a large polo ground were surprising, stating that even Nigeria's richest man does not possess such extensive property, emphasizing that it has existed since his childhood.
However, he acknowledged ownership of a farmland along the Abuja-Kaduna Road. Although he confirmed having bank accounts, he maintained that the found sums were declared according to the law and stated that his accounts were frozen by authorities.
In response to his arrest relating to drug trafficking, Kyari clarified that he volunteered to cooperate with investigations, asserting that he had not been involved in the capture of the alleged drug dealers.
The NDLEA brought 24 charges against the Kyari brothers, alleging money laundering and asset concealment. They claimed that the brothers were misleading regarding property ownership and the conversion of funds traced to them.
After the trial began, the NDLEA put forth 10 witnesses and presented over 20 pieces of evidence, while the defendants filed for a no-case submission, arguing insufficient evidence to warrant their prosecution.
On 28 October 2025, the court denied their submission, ruling they must face the charges.
Meanwhile, Kyari's ongoing cocaine trafficking trial is progressing, with him and four other suspended police officials under scrutiny. Some former co- defendants have already been convicted and sentenced after pleading guilty to the charges in 2022.
The two traffickers arrested in connection with the case, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, received two years’ imprisonment. Kyari's defense commenced on 27 February.
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