JUST IN; DCP Abba Kyari denies ownership of property linked to him
JUST IN; DCP Abba Kyari denies ownership of property linked to him
Suspended DCP Abba Kyari, on Tuesday, denied ownership of some of the property linked to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the ongoing trial bordering on alleged non-disclosure of assets.
Kyari, who opened his defence before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, said some of the property belonged to his late father, who had about 30 children.
He stated this while being led in evidence as 1st defence witness (DW-1) by his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.
The defendant, who expressed surprised on the allegations, told the court that the documents of the assets are with the Ministry of Land in Borno.
He also refuted the allegations that he owned the polo ground in the state, saying he was surprised that the large expanse of the polo ground would be linked to him.
“Even Dangote who is the richest man in Nigeria does not own such a property, how much more some like me.
“The polo ground has been in existence even when I was a childhood. We used to go there to play,” he said.
Kyari, however, admitted ownership of a farmland located along Abuja-Kaduna Road, saying he had been on the farm in the last one decade.
He equally admitted that he operated accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), and that the over 7, 000 pounds found in his domiciliary account was earlier declared in line with the law.
He said his accounts were frozen by the prosecution.
Kyari, who told the court that he was not part of the team that went to arrest the two drug traffickers at the Akanu Ibiam, International Airport in Enugu States, alleged that the NDLEA officers at the airport were indicted in the act.
He said he was not arrested as a result of the allegations against him but he submitted himself for investigation through his office.
Kyari, who said he was the head of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the time, said several high profile criminals was arrested by his team.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for continuation of the trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Omotosho had, on Oct. 28, dismissed a no-case submission application filed by Kyari and his two brothers in a charge filed against them by the NDLEA.
The judge, in a ruling, held that a prima facie case had been made out against the defendants to warrant them to enter their defence.
According to the judge, this is not to say that the defendants are guilty as charged but simply that they be afforded their right to fair hearing and put in their defence before this court.
“The defendants are still presumed innocent until proven guilty and the prosecution still has the duty to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge said, citing Section 135 (1) of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The NDLEA, in the 23-count charge, alleged that Abba Kyari, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari failed to make full disclosure of their assets.
The anti-narcotics agency, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, also accused them of “disguising of ownership of properties and conversion of monies.”
The NDLEA said the offences are punishable under Section 35 (3) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, and Section 15 (3) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
After the defendants were arraigned, the NDLEA called 10 witnesses to prove their case and tendered at least 20 exhibits.
The defendants then elected to make a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case.
Kyari, in his written address by his lawyer, Dr Obinna Onyia, argued that the NDLEA had failed to provide evidence showing indeed that he was the owner of the said property.
Citing Section 128 of the Evidence Act, Kyari submitted that “transactions over state lands can only be proven by production of certified true copies of the title documents and no other form of evidence in admissible,” among other arguments.
NAN reports that Kyari, alongside other four suspended police officers, is equally facing another trial before Justice Emeka Nwite on alleged cocaine deal.
The two of the drug traffickers; Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who were arrested by the IRT, were convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Justice Nwite in 2022.(NAN)
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Tinubu mourns Abubakar’s passing, the Imam who shielded over 200 Christians in his mosque during communal riot
Tinubu mourns Abubakar’s passing, the Imam who shielded over 200 Christians in his mosque during communal riot
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, Chief Imam of Nghar village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau, who passed away at 92.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
The late cleric gained national and international recognition in 2018 for sheltering more than 200 Christians during communal violence in Plateau.
Tinubu described Abubakar as an extraordinary religious leader whose life exemplified faith, courage and a deep reverence for the sanctity of human life.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection,” the President said.
He said the Imam’s actions embodied the true essence of faith and delivered a powerful message beyond sermons.
The President noted that the cleric’s uncommon bravery earned him local and international honours celebrating peaceful coexistence.
“I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar,” Tinubu said.
He prayed that God grants the late Imam eternal rest and rewards him for his courage and good deeds. (NAN)
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Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum
Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum
The Anambra Government has introduced 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum to enhance students’ practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new subjects include solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture and processing, plumbing, tiling, POP installation and event management.
Others are bakery, hairstyling, make-up, interior design, CCTV/intercom installation, digital literacy, information technology and robotics.
Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairperson ,Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), while speaking at the occasion in Awka on Friday, said the initiative was aimed at repositioning education to meet contemporary needs.
Ikediugwu noted that in a rapidly changing world, education should go beyond theory and examinations to equip students with practical skills, creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset.
“The goal of the programme is to prepare learners, not only to seek jobs but to create value, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the state,”she said.
Mr Cyril Nwuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, delivered a paper titled “Building Entrepreneurial Secondary Schools: Why Every School Needs an Entrepreneurship Club”.
Nwuche said the introduction of entrepreneurial subjects showed that the government was on the path to transforming the state’s economy.
“Traditional academic instruction alone is no longer sufficient to prepare children for the future.
“There is the need for schools to embrace practical and skill-based learning to enable students to thrive in a dynamic global environment, ” he said. (NAN)
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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
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