A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his two brothers over allegations of failing to declare their assets.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, who stated that the NDLEA did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. According to the judge, it is the responsibility of the prosecution to establish its case, which the agency failed to do.
Justice Omotosho described the case against Kyari and his brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, as an act of “persecution.” He subsequently discharged and acquitted all three defendants.
The NDLEA had earlier filed a 23-count charge against them, accusing them of not fully declaring their assets. The agency alleged that investigations revealed about 14 properties linked to Kyari, including shopping malls, residential estates, farmland, land plots, and a polo playground located in Abuja and Maiduguri.
The agency also claimed that more than ₦207 million and €17,598 were found in Kyari’s accounts with Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Sterling Bank.
According to the NDLEA, the defendants were also accused of concealing property ownership and converting funds, offences punishable under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
However, Kyari and his brothers pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and the court has now cleared them of the allegations.
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