NDLEA vs Abba Kyari: Court Fixes February 26, 2026 for Judgment in Asset Disclosure Case
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed February 26, 2026 for judgment in the asset‑disclosure case instituted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and former Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, alongside his brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari.
Justice James Omotosho announced the date after counsel for the NDLEA, Sunday Joseph, defence counsel for Abba Kyari, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and counsel for the co‑defendants, Monjok Agom, adopted their final written addresses and presented arguments for and against the 23‑count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022.
The NDLEA alleges that the defendants failed to make full disclosure of assets and engaged in acts of disguising ownership of properties and conversion of funds, contrary to Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Investigations reportedly uncovered 14 assets linked to Abba Kyari, including shopping malls, a residential estate, farmland, landed properties, and a polo ground in Borno State. The agency further alleged that over ₦207 million and €17,598 were traced to his bank accounts.
The defendants pleaded not guilty at arraignment. During trial, the NDLEA called 10 witnesses and tendered 20 exhibits in support of its case. Kyari, through his counsel, filed a no‑case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish ownership of the assets. On October 28, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that a prima facie case had been established, thereby requiring the defendants to enter their defence.
Kyari opened his defence on November 4, 2025, maintaining that he had duly declared his assets and those of his wife in compliance with the law. He denied ownership of several properties attributed to him, explaining that some belonged to his late father, who had a large family. He also disclaimed ownership of the alleged polo ground in Borno. His testimony concluded on November 26, 2025, after cross‑examination by the NDLEA.
Counsel for Mohammed and Ali Kyari informed the court that they would not call witnesses, electing instead to rest their case on the prosecution’s evidence.
It is noteworthy that Abba Kyari is also standing trial in a separate case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, relating to an alleged cocaine trafficking conspiracy involving police officers. Both matters were filed in 2022 and remain pending.
