By Our Reporter
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing false affidavits to allegedly conceal the origin of certain properties.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the NDLEA failed to present sufficient and credible evidence to prove the allegations, particularly regarding the ownership and non-declaration of the properties in question.
The court held that the prosecution did not establish that properties located at Fountain Estate, Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by Abba Kyari. It also found no material evidence linking him to properties on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Kyari had maintained in his defence that the properties in Borno State were inherited from his late father and jointly owned with his siblings. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to disprove this claim.
Justice Omotosho further criticised the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy without substantiating the allegation, describing the case as weak and lacking credible evidence.
Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted all the defendants.