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Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), has denied ownership of a property linked to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his ongoing trial over alleged non-disclosure of assets.
Testifying on Tuesday before James Omotosho, the presiding judge of the federal high court, Abuja, Kyari said some of the contentious properties belonged to his late father, who had “about 30 children”.
The former head of the police intelligence response team (IRT) said he was surprised by the allegations, adding that the documents for the assets are with the Borno state’s ministry of land.
Kyari also denied ownership of a polo ground reportedly linked to him in Borno, adding that he could not afford such an expanse of land.
“Even Dangote, who is the richest man in Nigeria, does not own such a property; how much more someone like me,” he told the court.
“The polo ground had been in existence even when I was a child. We used to go there to play.”
Kyari, however, admitted ownership of a farmland located along the Abuja–Kaduna road, saying he had managed the property for about a decade.
He also confirmed operating accounts with UBA, Access Bank, and GTBank, adding that the £7,000 found in his domiciliary account had been properly declared.
He told the court that his accounts were later frozen by the prosecution.
Kyari further distanced himself from the operation at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, where two drug traffickers were arrested — the incident that triggered his suspension.
He alleged that NDLEA officers at the airport were complicit in the deal.
“I was not arrested because of the allegations. I voluntarily submitted myself for investigation through my office,” he said.
Omotosho adjourned the matter until November 5 for continuation of trial.
On October 28, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by Kyari and his two brothers, ruling that a prima facie case had been established against them.
“The defendants are still presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution still has the duty to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge held.
The NDLEA, in the 23-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, accused Kyari, Mohammed Kyari, and Ali Kyari of failing to fully disclose their assets, disguising ownership of property, and converting funds.
The agency said the offences violate section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
After the prosecution closed its case—calling 10 witnesses and tendering 20 exhibits—the defendants opted for a no-case submission, which was dismissed by the court.
Kyari and four other suspended police officers are also facing a separate trial before Emeka Nwite over alleged involvement in a cocaine deal.
Two drug traffickers arrested in the case, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were convicted and sentenced to two years in prison in 2022.
