Kyari denies undeclared assets, says late father left 20 houses for family

Kyari denies undeclared assets, says late father left 20 houses for family

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that his late father left more than 20 houses for his children in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Kyari, who is standing trial over allegations of failing to declare assets and laundering money, made the disclosure while being cross-examined by counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sunday Joseph.

According to him, the properties belonged to his father and all his children—about 30 in number—and could not have been listed in his asset declaration form.

“I cannot declare the 20 houses because they belong to my father, not me. If I receive my portion, then I can include it,” he told the court.

He said some of the properties were sold to raise funds for their father’s medical treatment before his death.

Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), also admitted he initially refused to fill the NDLEA’s asset declaration form until his lawyers were present, but later complied after being informed it was a criminal offence to decline.

When confronted with bank documents tendered in court, the defendant confirmed the accounts belonged to him but insisted all funds were either official allowances or monies sent by state governors to support police operations.

READ ALSO:

• German nurse jailed for life for killing 10 patients to ease workload
• Obi backs labour party candidate, insists on free and fair Anambra governorship poll
• NIS introduces single-use travel passport for Nigerians abroad

He said over 1,000 operations were carried out under his command, during which funds were paid into his personal account for onward disbursement to team members.

On why some funds received from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were transferred to his relatives, Kyari claimed they were repayments of loans he took from family members to urgently fund police operations.

Earlier, Kyari concluded his evidence-in-chief led by his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Onyechi Ikpeazu, maintaining that he declared all personal assets as required by law.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter till November 12 for continuation of cross-examination after the NDLEA counsel sought time to obtain additional documents.

The NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari and two of his brothers in a 23-count charge bordering on non-declaration of assets, money laundering and disguising ownership of properties—offences said to be punishable under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

The court had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendants, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring them to enter a defence.

The defendants maintain their innocence, insisting the prosecution has failed to link them to any illegal ownership of property.

Kyari denies undeclared assets, says late father left 20 houses for family