Court Acquits Abba Kyari and Brothers of Asset Charges

On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and his brothers, Moham and Ali Kyari, regarding allegations of non-declaration of assets. Justice James Omotosho ruled that the NDLEA failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the burden of proof required in criminal cases.

The judge described the case against the Kyari brothers as persecution. The NDLEA had charged the defendants with 23 counts related to the alleged failure to disclose ownership of 14 assets, including a shop, mall, residential estate, polo playground, land, and farmland, located in various places, including Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State.

The agency also alleged that N207 million and 17,598 dollars were discovered in the Kyari brothers' accounts at Guarantee Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Sterling Bank. The charges included accusations of disguising ownership of properties and money laundering under relevant laws.

The Kyari brothers pleaded not guilty to all counts.