The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, stated that the NDLEA failed to provide enough evidence to prove the allegations filed against Kyari and two of his brothers, who were also accused of swearing false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
Justice Omotosho also explained that the ownership of the property can be confirmed through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession connected to ownership, adding that none of these were presented by the prosecution.
The properties are in Fountain Estate, Kasana, Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State; however, in his defense, Kyari stated that the property in Borno belonged to his late father and was inherited by him and his siblings.
The court then discharged and acquitted the defendants on all counts of non-declaration of assets. However, Kyari and four other suspended police officers are still on trial over alleged involvement in a cocaine deal uncovered by operatives of the NDLEA.