The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and his two brothers in a high-profile asset declaration case brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Delivering judgment on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, describing the evidence presented as “watery.”
Kyari and his brothers were facing a 23-count charge related to the alleged non-declaration of assets, conspiracy, and swearing to false affidavits. The NDLEA had accused the embattled police officer of owning several landed properties—including assets in Fountain Estate, properties along Linda Chuko Road in Asokoro, and in Maiduguri—which they alleged were not properly declared.
However, in his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution did not provide any documents or credible proof linking Kyari to the disputed properties. The judge noted that while ownership of land can be established through traditional history, title documents, or acts of possession, the NDLEA presented none of these.
Kyari had defended himself by stating that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings. The court found this explanation credible in the absence of contrary evidence from the prosecution.
The judge also criticized the inclusion of Kyari’s brothers in the conspiracy charge, stating it was done in “bad faith” and was not substantiated during the trial. He added that the defendants had served the nation meritoriously and should not be subjected to persecution.
This acquittal brings to a close the specific case regarding non-declaration of assets and financial charges brought by the NDLEA.
However, it does not affect other separate legal battles involving Kyari, including the ongoing cocaine-related trafficking case in which he has previously faced different judicial outcomes.
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