Judgment in NDLEA’s Asset Case Against Abba Kyari Set for February 2026

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled February 26, 2026, to deliver its judgment in the high-profile asset declaration case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and two of his brothers.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Friday after all parties—prosecution and defence counsels—formally adopted their final written arguments. The NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari, the former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alongside his brothers, Mohammed and Ali, for allegedly failing to fully declare their assets to the agency.

The prosecution’s case centers on the discovery of 14 undisclosed properties allegedly linked to Kyari. These include shopping malls, residential estates, a polo playground, farmlands, and plots of land in Abuja and Maiduguri. The anti-narcotics agency further alleges that it found over N207 million and €17,598 in bank accounts held by Kyari across three commercial banks.

The charges against the defendants include disguising the ownership of these assets and converting funds, offences under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering Act. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the trial, the NDLEA presented 10 witnesses and tendered more than 20 exhibits as evidence. After the prosecution closed its case, Kyari filed a “no-case” submission, arguing he had no case to answer. However, Justice Omotosho dismissed this application on October 28, 2025, ruling that a prima facie case had indeed been established against him.

Kyari opened his defence on November 4, testifying that he lawfully declared his assets and those of his wife. He denied ownership of several properties listed by the NDLEA, asserting they belonged to his late father, and specifically refuted claims of owning a polo playground in Borno State. He closed his defence on November 26, 2025. His two brothers elected not to call any witnesses in their defence.

The court clarified that this asset case is distinct from Kyari’s separate, ongoing trial on cocaine trafficking charges before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.