Court Clears Abba Kyari Of Asset Non-Declaration Charge
The Abba Kyari has been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court, Abuja, of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations against Kyari and his two brothers, who were accused of swearing false affidavits to conceal the origin of certain properties.
The judge noted that the prosecution did not tender credible documents linking Kyari to landed properties in Fountain Estate, Kasana, or properties on Linda Choko Road, Asokoro, and in Maiduguri, Borno State, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection, none of which were presented by the prosecution.
The court also accepted Kyari’s explanation that the Maiduguri properties belonged to his late father and were inherited by him and his siblings, which the prosecution failed to disprove.
Additionally, the court ruled that the conspiracy charge against his brothers was not proven.
The defendants were therefore discharged and acquitted on all counts, bringing an end to the legal battle over the asset declaration allegations.
More details on the case developments are expected to follow.