Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, on Wednesday insisted before the Federal High Court in Abuja that he fully declared his assets as required by law, maintaining that the undeclared properties listed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency belonged to his late father.
Kyari, who is standing trial alongside two others over alleged failure to properly declare multi-million-naira assets, stated this while testifying in his own defence before Justice James Omotosho.
Led in evidence by his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the embattled former Commander of the Intelligence Response Team faulted the NDLEA’s claims, insisting the agency failed to prove ownership of the properties in question.
“I declared all assets belonging to me and my wife. The properties they are talking about belong to my late father and the entire family,” Kyari said.
“I cannot include my father’s properties in my asset form because they are not mine. If I receive my share, I will declare it.”
He added that his late father reportedly left over 20 houses for his 30 children in Maiduguri, Borno State, and that some were sold to fund his treatment before his death. “About four of the properties were sold then,” he disclosed.
The NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge against Kyari and his co-defendants, accusing them of concealing ownership of assets and laundering funds in violation of the NDLEA Act and Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
After calling 10 witnesses and tendering 20 exhibits, the prosecution closed its case, prompting the defendants to file a no-case submission. Justice Omotosho dismissed the application on October 28, ruling that they had a case to answer.
However, the judge stressed that the ruling did not imply guilt but only entitled them to open their defence.
Kyari also told the court that large sums paid into his accounts were funds released by the police and state governments for operations handled by his team.
“We conducted over 1,000 operations. Sometimes funds for operations were paid into my account for onward distribution,” he said.
He admitted telling NDLEA operatives that he would not complete his asset declaration form until his lawyers were present. “Yes, I said that. They told me refusing to fill the form was a criminal offence,” Kyari said.
On allegations that Central Bank-related funds were transferred to his relatives, Kyari explained that the transfers were repayment for loans taken from family members to support urgent police operations when official funding was delayed.
Meanwhile, NDLEA counsel Sunday Joseph tendered additional bank documents, which Kyari admitted bore his name. The prosecution subsequently sought time to obtain more documents for cross-examination.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till November 12 for continuation of cross-examination.
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