By Correspondent in Abuja.
Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Wednesday reiterated that he fully declared his assets and those of his wife in accordance with the law.
Kyari, who is standing trial over allegations of non-disclosure of assets, maintained his position while answering questions under cross-examination by counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sunday Joseph, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“I have declared all my assets, and I have declared the assets of my wife,” Kyari insisted after the NDLEA counsel confronted him with claims that he made false declarations.
“They went and lied at the Federal High Court in Maiduguri that I declared the Polo Ground as my property. Everything my wife and I own has been duly declared,” he said.
Kyari further told the court that he did not benefit from the sale of his late father’s property.
“I did not get anything from my father’s properties, not even ‘shishi’,” he said.
Following the cross-examination, his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said there would be no re-examination.
“That is the case for the 1st defendant. We are grateful for my lord’s indulgence,” he told the court.
The Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Monjok Agom, also informed the court that they would not call any witnesses, opting instead to rely on the prosecution’s evidence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until December 12 for adoption of final written addresses.
Our Correspondent recalls that Kyari, former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), had on November 4 denied ownership of some assets linked to him by the NDLEA.
He claimed that several of the properties belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children, and expressed surprise that a large expanse of land, including the Borno Polo Ground, was attributed to him.
The NDLEA, in a 23-count charge, listed Abba Kyari and his two brothers, Mohammed and Ali, as 1st to 3rd defendants.
The agency accused them of failure to declare assets, disguising ownership of properties, and conversion of funds,offences punishable under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty. After calling 10 witnesses and tendering more than 20 exhibits, and the prosecution closed its case.
The defence filed a no-case submission, arguing that the NDLEA failed to prove Kyari owned the properties in question, citing Section 128 of the Evidence Act, which requires certified title documents to prove ownership of state lands.
Justice Omotosho dismissed the no-case submission and ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, necessitating the defendants’ defence.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
