Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Tuesday denied ownership of some of the properties linked to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his ongoing trial over alleged non-disclosure of assets.
Kyari, who opened his defence before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, said some of the properties in question belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children.
The embattled officer made the clarification while being led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, as the first defence witness (DW-1).
Kyari expressed surprise over the allegations, insisting that the documents of the said assets were with the Ministry of Lands in Borno.
He also denied ownership of the polo ground in Borno, saying he was shocked that such a large expanse of land could be linked to him.
“Even Dangote, who is the richest man in Nigeria, does not own such a property, how much more someone like me,” he said.
“The polo ground has been in existence since my childhood; we used to go there to play,” Kyari added.
However, the former Intelligence Response Team (IRT) commander admitted ownership of a farmland located along the Abuja–Kaduna Road, saying he had maintained it for over a decade.
He further confirmed operating accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), adding that the £7,000 found in his domiciliary account was duly declared according to the law.
Kyari said his accounts were frozen by the NDLEA during the investigation.
He also distanced himself from the team that arrested two drug traffickers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, alleging that some NDLEA officers at the airport were indicted in the operation.
Kyari maintained that he was not arrested but voluntarily submitted himself for investigation through his office.
According to him, as head of the IRT, his team was responsible for the arrest of several high-profile criminals across the country.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for continuation of trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Oct. 28, Justice Omotosho dismissed a no-case submission filed by Kyari and his two brothers in the suit instituted by the NDLEA.
The court held that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants, requiring them to open their defence.
The NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, accusing Kyari, Mohammed Kyari, and Ali Kyari of failing to declare assets, disguising ownership of properties, and converting proceeds of crime — offences punishable under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
After the defendants were arraigned, the agency called 10 witnesses and tendered 20 exhibits to prove its case.
The defendants, however, opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish ownership of the alleged properties.
Meanwhile, Kyari and four other suspended police officers are also facing a separate trial before Justice Emeka Nwite over an alleged cocaine deal.
Two drug traffickers arrested by Kyari’s team, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, had earlier been convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in 2022.
