Abba Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police, was cleared by a federal high court in Abuja of a 23-count allegation of failing to declare assets, which was brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
However, Abba Kyari remains detained by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), notwithstanding the recent verdict that released and exonerated him because the substantive drug case against him is still pending.
Who is Abba Kyari?
Abba Kyari, a Borno-born police officer, was born March 17, 1975. He was Deputy Commissioner of Police and led the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
He began his career as a police officer in 2000, joining the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. He has worked in multiple units to combat armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
Kyari, a graduate of the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, has received numerous medals for his bravery, including the National Police Medal in 2013 and the Inspector General of Police’s Commendation Medal for Courage.
Why he was suspended?
On August 1, 2021, Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police, suspended Abba Kyari from his job as Deputy Commissioner of Police while an internal investigation was undertaken on his alleged relationship with Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, a well-known Nigerian fraudster.
Usman Baba, the IGP at the time, suspended Kyari over allegations that he and Hushpuppi, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence in the United States, were involved in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
NDLEA’s grab?
Barely six months after, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) designated Abba Kyari wanted for alleged involvement with an international drug gang.
The agency also accused him of assisting and abetting narcotics traffickers, specifically Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were apprehended at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu with 21.35kg of cocaine.
According to the NDLEA, the suspended police chief was involved in a drug deal in which he allegedly offered to sell some of the recovered cocaine while keeping the earnings.
The agency further stated that Kyari had collaborated with the traffickers, helping them to transport cocaine via Enugu airport with the assistance of corrupt NDLEA officials.
On February 14, 2022, operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Abba Kyari, who had already been suspended as Deputy Police Commissioner, at his Abuja office.
Kyari’s journey to court?
In 2022, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) accused Abba Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, and his brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, with two different charges.
The NDLEA charged Kyari and his brothers, Mohammed and Ali, with failing to report assets including as shopping malls, residential estates, a polo pitch, and bank accounts worth more than ₦207 million and €17,598.
Kyari was also charged separately for alleged drug trafficking. The agency presented ten witnesses and twenty exhibits to back up its claims.
No-case submission inside drain?
On October 28, 2025, Abba Kyari and his two brothers filed a no-case submission, claiming that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had not produced sufficient evidence to justify a trial.
However, Justice James Omotosho denied their no-case submission and decided in favor of the NDLEA, stating that a prima facie case had been made, implying that there is enough evidence to support their defense.
Kyari’s defenses in court?
On November 4, 2025, Abba Kyari presented his defense, claiming that he had properly reported his assets as required by law.
He insisted that the properties in question, notably those in Maiduguri, belonged to his deceased father and were inherited by him and his brothers.
Kyari also admitted that he identified the homes in his wealth declaration but claimed they belonged to his wife.
The cross examination?
Abba Kyari completed his evidence on November 26, 2025, after being cross-examined by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He asserted that he had declared all of his and his wife’s assets in accordance with the law.
He also denied ownership of other NDLEA-listed properties, stating they belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children.
Kyari’s brothers chose not to summon witnesses, relying on the prosecution’s evidence.
Judgment on the asset declaration case?
Justice James Omotosho of a federal high court in Abuja discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police, of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Omotosho in his judgment delivered on Thursday, March 5, held that the prosecution failed to establish its case against Kyari and the other defendants.
He said the NDLEA did not present sufficient evidence to prove that the property cited in the charge belonged to Kyari.
The judge explained that ownership of landed property can be proven through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession connected to ownership.
He said none of these forms of proof was presented by the prosecution to show that the property located in Fountain Estate, Kasana (said to belong to Ramatu Kyari), was owned by the suspended police officer.
Omotosho also held that the prosecution failed to produce evidence linking Kyari to other property referenced in the charge, including those located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno state.
The judge said the prosecution did not disprove the claim.
Omotosho also faulted the charge of conspiracy against Kyari’s brothers — Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari — holding that the allegation was not substantiated by evidence.
He described the prosecution’s case as weak and lacking in credible proof.
NDLEA’s reaction to recent court judgement?
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed that the substantive drug case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari is still ongoing.
According to the agency, the case is scheduled to continue before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on March 16, 2026.
This clarification comes after Kyari was discharged by Justice James Omotosho on a 23-count charge related to alleged money laundering and non-declaration of assets.
The NDLEA further noted that the ruling by Justice Omotosho is separate from the main drug prosecution.
It also disclosed that the agency’s prosecution team is awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to review its details before deciding on any next steps, including a possible appeal.
NCoS reaction?
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), while reacting to the judgment disclosed that Abba Kyari is still in custody despite being discharged in one of the cases against him.
According to the NCoS, Kyari has two cases – one for wrongful declaration of assets, which he’s been discharged for, and another for a drug-related offense, which is still ongoing.
The service clarified that he remains in custody till the conclusion and determination of the drug-related case.