Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, on Wednesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that his late father left behind more than 20 houses for his children in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Kyari made the revelation while being cross-examined by counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Sunday Joseph, before Justice James Omotosho.
He is currently facing trial for allegedly failing to fully declare his assets as required by law.
Family Estate in Maiduguri
The former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) explained that the properties were part of his late father’s estate and did not belong to him personally.
“About four of the properties were sold then to take care of my father’s medical bills before he died,” Kyari said.
He told the court that the over 20 houses were jointly owned by all his father’s children, about 30 in number and could not be declared in his asset form since they had not been formally shared.
“I could not include the 20 houses in my asset declaration form because they belong to my late father, not me. If I get my percentage share, I will declare it, but until then, I cannot,” he said.
Kyari also stated that proceeds from some of the sold properties were distributed among family members in need.
Refusal to Fill Asset Declaration Form
During cross-examination, Kyari confirmed that he initially declined to fill the asset declaration form when approached by NDLEA officials, insisting that he would only do so in the presence of his lawyers.
“Yes, I said I would not make any statement until my lawyers were around,” he told the court, adding that an NDLEA officer informed him it was a criminal offence to refuse.
He further confirmed that his name appeared on several bank documents tendered by the prosecution.
NDLEA Seeks Adjournment
After a round of questioning, NDLEA counsel, Mr. Joseph, requested an adjournment to obtain additional documents needed to continue the cross-examination.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the case to November 12 for continuation of trial.
Kyari Defends Himself
Earlier, while being led in evidence by his counsel, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Kyari maintained that he had declared all his assets, including those of his wife, in compliance with the law.
He insisted that some of the properties and funds listed by the prosecution were his late father’s assets and not proceeds of crime.
According to him, funds in his accounts were legitimate and included operational money paid by the police and some state governors for special assignments.
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He added that as commander of the Anti-Robbery Squad and later head of the IRT, his team carried out over 1,000 operations and often received operational funds that were deposited into his accounts for disbursement.
Kyari explained that some transfers from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were repayments to relatives who had lent him money to fund urgent operations, citing bureaucratic delays in official disbursements.
Justice Omotosho had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by Kyari and his brothers, ruling that a prima facie case had been established against them.
The NDLEA, in a 23-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022), accused Abba Kyari, Mohammed Kyari, and Ali Kyari of failing to declare their assets, disguising ownership of properties, and converting proceeds of crime, offences contrary to the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
The agency presented ten witnesses and tendered 20 exhibits before closing its case, after which the defendants opened their defence.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.