Court Clears Abba Kyari, Two Brothers of Asset Declaration, Money Laundering Charges After Four-Year Trial

The Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and two of his brothers of alleged asset declaration and money laundering offences brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Delivering judgment at Court 8 of the Abuja division, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

The case, filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the NDLEA, was brought under Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022 and contained 23 counts bordering on asset declaration and money laundering allegations against Kyari and others.

After a full trial during which witnesses testified and evidence was presented before the court, Justice Omotosho ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not sufficiently establish the charges.

The court consequently discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari, alongside his brothers, Muhammed Baba Kyari and Ali Baba Kyari, of all counts contained in the charge.

The case lasted for more than four years and attracted significant public attention, with the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team facing intense media scrutiny and public debate throughout the trial.

Legal observers say the judgment reinforces the legal principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

However, Kyari’s legal battles are not yet over. Another criminal charge filed by the NDLEA — Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/57/2022 — is still pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
In that case, titled Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. DCP Abba Kyari & 4 Others, the prosecution has already closed its case, while the defence team has begun presenting its evidence before the court.

Kyari, once regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prominent police officers, remains at the centre of legal and public attention as proceedings in the remaining case continue.