The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets.
The charges were filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency against Kyari and two of his brothers, who were also accused of swearing false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.
The judge noted that the anti-narcotics agency did not provide credible documents linking Kyari to landed properties in Fountain Estate, Kasana, reportedly owned by Ramatu Kyari, or to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property can be proven through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection, none of which was convincingly established by the prosecution.
He further held that Kyari’s claim that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings was not successfully challenged by the prosecution.
The court also ruled that the allegation of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers was not proven.
Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted Kyari and the other defendants on all counts.
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