JUST IN: Federal High Court Dismisses NDLEA Charges Against Abba Kyari and Brothers

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday 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 alleged non-declaration of assets.

Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. He held that the responsibility to establish the case rested with the NDLEA and that the agency did not meet the required legal standard.

The court described the case as “persecution” and discharged and acquitted Kyari and his brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari.

The NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge accusing the three defendants of failing to fully disclose their assets. According to the agency, investigations uncovered 14 properties allegedly linked to Kyari, including shopping malls, a residential estate, a polo playground, plots of land and farmland located in Abuja and Maiduguri.

The agency also alleged that more than ₦207 million and €17,598 were found in accounts connected to Kyari across several banks. Prosecutors further claimed the defendants concealed ownership of properties and converted funds in violation of anti-money laundering laws.

The charges were brought under provisions of the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

Kyari and his brothers pleaded not guilty to all counts throughout the trial. Their legal teams, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Monjok Agom, argued that the allegations were not supported by sufficient evidence.

After reviewing submissions from both sides, the court ruled that the prosecution had not established the offences as required by law and dismissed the case.