The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled February 26, 2026, for judgment in the high-profile case involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his two younger brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari. The case, filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), centers on allegations of non-disclosure of assets.
The NDLEA accused the Kyari brothers of failing to declare ownership of properties and funds, including shopping malls, residential estates, a polo playground, land, and farmland spread across Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State. Investigations by the agency reportedly revealed over N207 million and €17,598 in accounts with Guarantee Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Sterling Bank.
The 23-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, includes claims of “disguising ownership of properties and conversion of monies,” violations under Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Sunday Joseph, presented 10 witnesses and at least 20 exhibits to support its claims. Kyari, represented by SAN Onyechi Ikpeazu, had earlier filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove ownership of the alleged assets. However, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the submission on October 28, 2025, ruling that a prima facie case had been established.
Kyari began his defense on November 4, maintaining that he properly declared his assets and those of his wife under the law. He denied ownership of several properties cited by the NDLEA, explaining that some belonged to his late father, who had more than 30 children, and rejecting claims that he owned the polo playground in Borno. His defense concluded on November 26 after cross-examination by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, his brothers Mohammed and Ali Kyari did not call any witnesses, resting their defense on the evidence presented by the prosecution, through their lawyer Monjok Agom.
