The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled February 26, 2026 to deliver judgment in the case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari — the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) — along with his two younger brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, on allegations of failing to declare assets.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the judgment date after counsel for all parties — NDLEA’s lawyer, Sunday Joseph; Kyari’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN); and the brothers’ lawyer, Monjok Agom — adopted their written addresses and presented arguments.
In the 23-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022), the NDLEA alleges that Kyari and his brothers did not fully disclose assets reportedly linked to them. The agency claims it uncovered 14 properties, including shopping malls, a residential estate, a polo field, plots of land, and farmland associated with Kyari in Abuja and Maiduguri. It also alleges the discovery of more than N207 million and €17,598 across Kyari’s bank accounts in GTBank, UBA, and Sterling Bank. The defendants are additionally accused of disguising property ownership and converting funds.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
The NDLEA called 10 witnesses and tendered over 20 exhibits before concluding its case. Kyari then filed a no-case submission, arguing that prosecutors had not proved ownership of the properties. However, on October 28, Justice Omotosho dismissed the submission, ruling that a prima facie case had been established and directing the defendants to enter their defence.
Opening his defence on November 4, Kyari insisted that he lawfully declared his assets and those of his wife. He denied ownership of several properties listed by the NDLEA, explaining that some belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children. He also rejected allegations linking him to a polo field in Borno.
Kyari closed his defence on November 26 after testifying and undergoing cross-examination. His brothers chose not to call any witnesses, opting instead to rely on the prosecution’s evidence.
NAN notes that this case is separate from the ongoing cocaine trafficking trial involving Kyari and several police officers before Justice Emeka Nwite, though both matters were filed by the NDLEA in 2022.
