The Federal High Court in Abuja has set February 26, 2026, for the judgment in the case involving Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, and his two brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari. The case, filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), accuses the Kyari brothers of failing to declare assets and concealing ownership of multiple properties and large sums of money.

The Case Against Abba Kyari and His Brothers

The NDLEA has brought a 23-count charge against Kyari, who was once the head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and his brothers for allegedly concealing valuable assets and funds. The charges include the non-disclosure of properties such as shopping malls, residential estates, polo grounds, land, and farmlands situated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Maiduguri, Borno State.

Additionally, the NDLEA claims to have found over N207 million and €17,598 in Kyari’s bank accounts with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Sterling Bank. The NDLEA has charged the defendants with “disguising ownership of properties” and “conversion of monies,” under the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

The Legal Proceedings

Despite the serious nature of the charges, Abba Kyari and his brothers have pleaded not guilty to all counts. The prosecution has presented its case, calling 10 witnesses and submitting at least 20 exhibits to support its claims. In response, Kyari’s defense, led by prominent lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not adequately proven ownership of the alleged properties.

On October 28, 2025, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the no-case submission, ruling that a prima facie case had been established, meaning the defense must respond to the allegations. Consequently, Kyari took the stand in his defense on November 4, 2025, where he maintained that he had disclosed his assets, including those of his wife, in compliance with the law.

Kyari also denied owning several of the properties listed by the NDLEA, explaining that some belonged to his late father, who had over 30 children, and rejecting claims of ownership of the polo grounds in Borno State.

Brothers’ Defense

Kyari’s brothers, Mohammed and Ali, chose not to call any witnesses and decided to rest their defense on the prosecution’s case. Their lawyer, Monjok Agom, argued that the evidence presented by the NDLEA was insufficient to prove ownership of the disputed assets.

What’s Next?

With February 26, 2026, now set as the date for the judgment, the court will decide whether the NDLEA has succeeded in proving its case against the Kyari brothers. The outcome of this trial could have significant legal and political consequences for the embattled police officer, whose reputation has already been marred by other controversies.

As the case progresses, the Nigerian public will be watching closely to see if the justice system holds the accused accountable or if further legal maneuvers will delay or impact the proceedings.