The court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence to sustain the allegations against the former head of the Intelligence Response Team.
Kyari had faced high-profile scrutiny following investigations linked to alleged misconduct. In delivering judgment, the court held that the case did not meet the legal threshold required for conviction.
The ruling effectively clears Kyari of the charges and marks a significant development in one of Nigeria’s most closely followed law enforcement cases.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja, has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy commissioner of police Abba Kyari of a 23 count charge of alleged non declaration of Assets filed against him by the NDLEA.
Kyari is being charged alongside his two brothers who were accused of swearing to a false affidavits to conceal the origin of some properties.
The court in it judgment held that the NDLEA filed to provide sufficient evidence in proving its case against the defendants, which is mostly non declaration of land properties.
Justice Omotosho noted proving ownership of landed properties can be done through traditional history, title, acts of possession and possession by connection.
The prosecution did not provide any of these documents to show that the said properties located in fountain Estate Kasana which belong to Ramatu Kyari, is truly owned by Abba Kyari.
Also the court held that prosecution did not provide same material evidence linking Mr Kyari to properties in Linda Choko road Asokoro and also Maiduguri Borno State. In his defense, he said the properties in Borno belonged to his father which he left for him and his siblings.
The prosecution did not prove otherwise, the prosecution charged Mr Kyari’s brothers in bad faith for alleged conspiracy, which they failed to prove.
In all the case of the NDLEA was watery, the defendant has served this country well and should not be subjected to persecution.