The trial of detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, over his alleged non-disclosure of assets, resumed before the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday, with a witness narrating how investigations revealed that the defendant received over N200 million through 10 different bank accounts.
The witness, Mr. Ahmed Yero, a Chief Investigator with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the accounts were identified through the defendant’s Bank Verification Number (BVN).
According to Yero, although 12 bank accounts were traced to Kyari—who previously headed the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT)—two of them were found to be dormant.
Testifying as the ninth prosecution witness (PW-9), Yero said he was directed on February 14, 2022, to lead an NDLEA investigation into Kyari’s assets.
“Though the defendant declared that he had only three bank accounts, we discovered through the BVN portal that he owned and operated 10 active accounts,” Yero told the court.
The witness added that Kyari operated different domiciliary accounts for US Dollars, Euros, and Pounds Sterling.
Suspicious Transactions Uncovered
“One of the accounts is a salary account from which the defendant collected salaries and other allowances from the police.
We investigated the account for a period of 16 years (2006–2022) and discovered that inflows into the account were greater than his official earnings.”
Yero also revealed that funds were directly wired from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) into Kyari’s account and labeled as “operational funds”. However, a significant portion of the money was later transferred to Kyari’s family members and associates.
“After analyzing his accounts, we discovered that he received over N200 million beyond what he should have earned officially,” he said.
Despite the findings, Yero stated that Kyari refused to provide a written statement, insisting that he would give his explanation in court.
Court Admits Key Evidence
The court admitted into evidence:
- Kyari’s bank statements
- BVN analysis of the accounts
Defense lawyers, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), challenged the admissibility of the documents but reserved their arguments for a later stage in the trial.
Kyari’s Claims of Agricultural Business Disputed
Kyari allegedly claimed to be engaged in agriculture, but according to Yero, he failed to provide any evidence to support the claim.
Under cross-examination, the witness acknowledged that Kyari was once referred to as a “super cop” and that his duties involved traveling across the country to combat serious crimes, including terrorism. However, Yero admitted that his team did not investigate Kyari’s specific operations or expenses.
More Allegations Against Kyari
The NDLEA also accused Kyari of failing to declare:
- Landed properties in Maiduguri, Borno State
- Other assets allegedly linked to his late father or his wife
Meanwhile, a Compliance Officer from Sterling Bank, Mr. David Ajoma, presented Kyari’s bank statements as evidence in court.
Kyari Faces Multiple Trials
The NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari and his two siblings, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, on a 10-count amended charge related to concealing assets.
Additionally, Kyari is facing a separate 8-count charge for allegedly tampering with cocaine seized from convicted drug traffickers arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Four members of Kyari’s IRT team—
- ACP Sunday J. Ubia
- ASP Bawa James
- Insp. Simon Agirigba
- Insp. John Nuhu
—are also facing trial in connection with the drug case.
Kyari and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the court has remanded them in prison custody pending the determination of the case.
Next Court Hearing
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial to March 24, 2025, while the NDLEA prepares to present two more witnesses.