Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Tuesday denied ownership of several properties allegedly traced to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his ongoing trial over non-disclosure of assets.
Kyari, who opened his defence before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, said that some of the properties belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children.
Led in evidence by his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) said he was shocked by the allegations, insisting that the documents for the properties in question were with the Borno State Ministry of Lands.
He also refuted claims that he owned a polo ground in the state, saying the vast expanse of land had existed since his childhood.
“Even Dangote, who is Nigeria’s richest man, does not own such a property, how much more someone like me,” Kyari said.
He, however, admitted to owning a farmland along the Abuja–Kaduna Road, which he said he had operated for about a decade.
The defendant also confirmed that he maintained accounts with UBA, Access Bank, and GTBank, and that the £7,000 found in his domiciliary account had been duly declared. He said the accounts had since been frozen by the NDLEA.
Kyari denied involvement in the 2022 arrest of two drug traffickers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, alleging that some NDLEA officers stationed at the airport were implicated in the operation.
He told the court that he voluntarily presented himself for investigation, noting that as head of the IRT, his team had been responsible for several high-profile arrests.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until 5 November 2025 for continuation of the trial.
The judge had, on 28 October, dismissed a no-case submission by Kyari and his two brothers, ruling that a prima facie case had been established by the prosecution. He clarified that this did not imply guilt but required the defendants to present their defence.
The NDLEA, in a 23-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022), accused Kyari and his brothers—Mohammed and Ali Kyari—of failing to fully disclose their assets, disguising ownership of properties, and converting proceeds of crime.
The offences, according to the agency, contravene Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
The agency has called 10 witnesses and tendered 20 exhibits to support its case. Kyari, through his lawyer Dr Obinna Onyia, argued that the NDLEA failed to produce certified title documents linking him to any of the alleged properties.
Meanwhile, Kyari and four other suspended police officers are also standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite in a separate case involving an alleged cocaine deal. Two drug traffickers arrested by the IRT, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were convicted and sentenced to two years in prison in 2022.
