The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) suffered a major setback on Wednesday in its asset-declaration case against Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the cross-examination of the first respondent ended in confusion and little progress.
The case, which alleges that Kyari failed to declare his assets, saw the prosecution, led by counsel Sunday Joseph, struggle to establish inconsistencies in Kyari’s statements, particularly regarding inheritance and property ownership. At a previous sitting, Joseph attempted to assert that all properties left by Kyari’s late father were solely his. Kyari firmly refuted this, explaining that the properties belonged to the entire family and would be shared among his 29 siblings.
Kyari also stressed that he had declared all his assets and bank accounts, noting that more than 90% of the properties NDLEA claimed were his were inaccurate. He highlighted that the true owners of the disputed properties had come forward with documentation in court, exposing what he described as NDLEA’s fabricated media narratives.
He further informed the court that his bank accounts, all of which have been frozen by NDLEA for over three years, collectively hold less than ₦4 million, none of which has been linked to any criminal activity.
Attempts by the prosecution to divert questioning to unrelated matters were sharply rebuffed by Justice Omotosho, who reminded counsel that the case was strictly about asset declaration. Tension escalated when Joseph made what the court described as a “parable,” prompting a stern warning from the judge.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented an interim police document, asking Kyari to refer to specific pages. Kyari clarified that the pages cited contained details of drug suspects and their transfer to NDLEA, unrelated to the asset-declaration charges. He also noted that a final police report existed, which contradicted the three-year-old interim version.
Kyari further pointed out several false claims made by NDLEA, including allegations that he owned the Borno State Government polo ground and that he had confessed to owning properties belonging to other Nigerians, claims which have since been challenged in court.
Following these exchanges, the NDLEA counsel unexpectedly announced that he had no further questions. Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), representing Kyari, also confirmed he had no additional cross-examination. The matter has now been adjourned for the filing and adoption of final written addresses, after which judgment will be delivered.