Federal High Court rules NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence linking properties in question to the embattled police officer.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets.

Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) failed to prove the allegations brought against Kyari and the other defendants.

Kyari had been charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits to conceal the ownership and origin of certain properties allegedly linked to the suspended police officer.

In its ruling, the court held that the prosecution did not provide credible evidence to establish that Kyari owned the landed properties in dispute, particularly those located at Fountain Estate, Kasana.

Justice Omotosho explained that under the law, ownership of landed property can be established through various means, including traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, and possession by connection.

However, the judge noted that the prosecution failed to present any such documentary or legal evidence to substantiate its claim that the properties, said to belong to one Ramatu Kyari, were actually owned by Abba Kyari.

Consequently, the court ruled that the NDLEA did not sufficiently prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore discharged and acquitted Kyari and the other defendants of all charges.