Kyari Disowns Properties Linked to Him, Says They Belong to Late Father, 30 Siblings

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the properties the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) linked to him actually belonged to his late father and are jointly owned by his large family of 30 children.

Testifying before Justice James Omotosho, Kyari said his father left behind more than 20 houses in Maiduguri, Borno State, many of which had been sold to offset medical expenses before his death.

“My Lord, I cannot include my father’s properties in my asset declaration form because they belong to all his children. We are about 30 in number. If my share is given to me, I can declare it,” he stated while being cross-examined by NDLEA counsel, Sunday Joseph.

Kyari, who joined the police in 2000, is standing trial alongside two of his brothers — Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari — on 23 counts bordering on failure to declare assets, disguising ownership of properties, and money laundering.

The NDLEA alleged that the defendants converted funds traced to them and concealed ownership of certain assets, in violation of Sections 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

However, Kyari maintained that the agency failed to produce certified documents to establish that he owned the properties, insisting that family inheritance could not be listed as personal assets under the law.

He explained that the money found in his bank accounts came from operational funds released by the police and some state governors for security assignments. According to him, due to bureaucratic delays, he occasionally borrowed from relatives to fund urgent missions, repaying them when official allocations were later released.

“Yes, I told the NDLEA officers that I would not fill any form without my lawyers present. I was later informed that refusal to do so could be considered a criminal offence,” Kyari said.

The prosecution tendered several bank documents confirmed by the defendant. Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till November 12 for continuation of the hearing, noting that issues surrounding the declaration of family properties would be addressed in the final written addresses.