‘Even Dangote Doesn’t Own Such Land’ – Abba Kyari Denies Owning Properties NDLEA Linked To Him

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Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari has denied owning the properties allegedly traced to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the ongoing asset-disclosure trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Testifying before Justice James Omotosho on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Kyari described the NDLEA’s claims as “shocking and untrue,” asserting that some of the assets in question belonged to his late father.

“Some of those properties belonged to my late father, who had about 30 children,”
Kyari told the court during his testimony.

The embattled former commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) said he was surprised when investigators linked several properties to his name, insisting that the relevant land documents were held by the Borno State Ministry of Land.

Disputes NDLEA’s Property Claims

Kyari particularly refuted the agency’s claim that he owned a polo ground in Borno State, describing the allegation as “misinformed” and “beyond imagination.”

“Even Dangote, who is the richest man in Nigeria, does not own such a property — how much more someone like me,”
Kyari remarked, prompting murmurs from observers in the courtroom.

He further stated that the Borno polo ground cited by the NDLEA had existed long before his birth.

“That ground has been there since I was a child. We used to go there to play,”
he added, stressing that it could not have been acquired by him.

Defence Counters NDLEA’s Evidence

Kyari’s defence team argued that the NDLEA’s case relied largely on assumptions rather than verified ownership records. They maintained that none of the agency’s presented documents proved direct links between Kyari and the alleged properties.

While denying ownership of multiple assets, Kyari admitted to having a farmland located along the Abuja–Kaduna expressway, which he said he had managed for roughly a decade.

“I have been managing that farmland for about ten years now. It’s my only property,”
Kyari said, adding that the farm was developed from legitimate earnings during his service years.

Background: The NDLEA Case Against Kyari

Abba Kyari, once celebrated as one of Nigeria’s top anti-crime operatives, was suspended in 2022 after being accused of conspiring with international drug cartels. The NDLEA later filed multiple charges, including alleged non-disclosure of assets and criminal conspiracy.

The former police officer has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that the case against him is politically motivated and unsupported by factual evidence.

Justice Omotosho has adjourned the case to a later date for the continuation of hearing.

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