The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and leader of the IRT, Abba Kyari, has been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on the 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, ruled that the anti-narcotics agency failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against Kyari and his two brothers, who were also accused of filing false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
According to the judge, the prosecution did not present credible documents linking Kyari to landed properties in Fountain Estate, Kasana, allegedly owned by Ramatu Kyari, or to other properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice Omotosho noted that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection, but none of these were sufficiently proven by the prosecution.
The court also held that Kyari’s explanation that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings was not disproved.
Justice Omotosho further ruled that the conspiracy charge against Kyari’s brothers lacked evidential backing.
Justice Omotosho noted that that it was quite unfortunate that Abba Kyari, who, from the evidence before the court, had served the country bravely and competently, handling very dangerous assignments to ensure that the country is secure, would be arraigned upon a baseless charge.
“For a Nigerian to put his life on the line for this country and then be rewarded with being charged for offences that are quite ridiculous is baffling, to say the least.”
“Consequently, the defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted on all counts,” the judge declared.