A ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted attention to the accountability process surrounding suspended police officer Abba Kyari, after the court discharged him and his two brothers of allegations linked to asset declaration.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that prosecutors from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency failed to establish a prima facie case in the 23-count charge involving Kyari and his brothers, Mohammed and Ali Kyari.

The charges centred on claims that the defendants did not properly declare certain properties and financial assets allegedly associated with the suspended deputy commissioner of police, including land, estates and other holdings in Abuja and Maiduguri.

In his decision, the judge said the prosecution’s evidence and witness testimonies did not sufficiently establish the essential elements required to sustain the allegations, noting that the responsibility to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt lies with the prosecuting authority.

However, officials of the NDLEA have moved quickly to clarify that the ruling concerns only the asset declaration and money laundering allegations, and does not affect the separate criminal proceedings accusing Kyari of involvement in drug trafficking.

According to the agency, the substantive drug-related trial remains active before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja and is scheduled to resume on March 16, 2026.

Spokesman for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the prosecution team will first obtain the certified copy of the judgment before deciding whether to challenge the ruling, while reiterating that the agency remains committed to pursuing the outstanding drug case through the legal process.