Abba Kyari drug case continues before Federal High Court as NDLEA clarifies asset ruling is separate from the main narcotics trial

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has clarified that its substantive drug case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari remains ongoing and is scheduled to continue before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on March 16, 2026.

Also read: Court acquits Abba Kyari of all 23 NDLEA charges

The clarification followed the Federal High Court’s discharge and acquittal of Kyari on Thursday over 23 charges of alleged non-declaration of assets.

Justice James Omotosho held that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Kyari and his two brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, to the properties in question.

The court found that the prosecution did not produce credible evidence connecting Kyari to properties in Fountain Estate, Kasana, or on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, and in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Justice Omotosho noted that property ownership could be established through title documents, acts of possession, or traditional history—none of which were presented.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi explained that the ruling relates solely to money laundering and non-declaration of assets, and is separate from the ongoing drug case.

“First, I need to clarify that the ruling by Justice Omotosho is completely different from the main and substantive drug case, which continues before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, 16th March 2026,” Babafemi said.

The agency accused Kyari of concealing ownership of multiple properties and failing to declare assets, claiming investigations traced about 14 assets, including shopping malls, residential estates, farmlands, parcels of land, and a polo playground, to him in Abuja and Maiduguri. NDLEA also cited bank holdings of roughly N207m and €17,598 allegedly linked to Kyari.

Kyari, however, denied the allegations, maintaining that some properties were inherited from his late father and insisting that all assets had been properly declared.

Also read: Abba Kyari claims seized properties belong to late father

Babafemi noted that the prosecution team would review a Certified True Copy of Justice Omotosho’s judgment to guide the agency on the next course of action, including any decision on appeal.