Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Tuesday denied owning any of the properties allegedly linked to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his ongoing trial over alleged non-disclosure of assets.
Testifying before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kyari told the court that some of the properties in question belonged to his late father, who had “about 30 children.”
He said he was surprised by the allegations, adding that the documents for the said properties were in the custody of the Borno State Ministry of Lands.
Kyari, who is the former Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), also denied owning a polo ground in Borno State, which the NDLEA had 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 I was a child. We used to go there to play.”
However, Kyari admitted ownership of a farmland located along the Abuja–Kaduna road, saying he had managed it for about 10 years.
He confirmed operating bank accounts with UBA, Access Bank, and GTBank, noting that the £7,000 found in his domiciliary account was duly declared to the relevant authorities.
According to him, the accounts were later frozen by the prosecution.
The suspended officer also distanced himself from the operation at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, where two drug traffickers were arrested — an incident that led to his suspension.
He alleged that NDLEA officers at the airport were complicit in the operation.
“I was not arrested because of the allegations. I voluntarily submitted myself for investigation through my office,” Kyari said.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for continuation of trial.
On Oct. 28, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by Kyari and his two brothers, ruling that a prima facie case had been established against them.
“The defendants are still presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution still has the duty to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge ruled.
The NDLEA, in a 23-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, accused Kyari, Mohammed Kyari, and Ali Kyari of failing to fully disclose their assets, disguising ownership of properties, and converting funds in violation of Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
The prosecution had earlier closed its case after calling 10 witnesses and tendering 20 exhibits.
Kyari and four other suspended police officers are also facing a separate trial before Justice Emeka Nwite over their alleged involvement in a cocaine deal.
Two drug traffickers arrested in that case — Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — were convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in 2022.