The ongoing trial of Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), took a revealing turn on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. A prosecution witness from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) provided testimony that shed light on how Kyari allegedly accumulated over N200 million through 10 active bank accounts, far exceeding his official earnings as a police officer. This development has intensified scrutiny on the embattled “super cop,” whose legal battles have gripped Nigeria’s attention since his suspension in 2021.
A Deep Dive Into Kyari’s Financial Trail
The witness, Ahmed Yero, a Chief Investigator with the NDLEA’s Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigation, took the stand as the ninth prosecution witness in Kyari’s asset concealment case. Yero’s testimony painted a detailed picture of financial irregularities uncovered during a 16-year analysis of Kyari’s bank records, spanning 2006 to 2022. Assigned to probe Kyari’s finances on February 14, 2022, following his transfer to NDLEA custody, Yero’s team leveraged Kyari’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) to unearth a network of accounts that contradicted the officer’s initial declaration.
Kyari had reported owning only three bank accounts to the NDLEA. However, forensic analysis, supported by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revealed he operated 10 active accounts across multiple banks. These included domiciliary accounts in dollars, euros, and pounds sterling, in addition to a salary account linked to his earnings from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). “One of these accounts received his salaries and allowances directly from the NPF,” Yero explained, laying the foundation for a deeper financial dissection.
Discrepancies Beyond Official Earnings
The NDLEA’s investigation went beyond merely identifying the accounts—it quantified the inflows. Yero testified that the total deposits into Kyari’s accounts over the 16-year period significantly outstripped his legitimate income as a police officer. After calculating Kyari’s cumulative salaries and entitlements, the team found that over N200 million had entered his accounts from sources unaccounted for by his official earnings. “We compared everything he earned officially with the inflows, and the excess was over N200 million,” Yero told the court.
A notable portion of these funds, tagged as “operational funds,” was traced back to direct transfers from the CBN. However, the witness highlighted that substantial sums were subsequently funneled to Kyari’s family members and associates, raising questions about the legitimacy of these transactions. This movement of money suggested a pattern of financial activity inconsistent with Kyari’s role as a public servant, prompting the NDLEA to dig deeper into potential illicit sources.
Courtroom Drama and Evidence Admission
The proceedings were not without contention. Kyari’s defense team, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the bank statements and BVN analysis presented by the prosecution. Despite their resistance, Justice James Omotosho admitted the documents into evidence, marking them as exhibits. The defense reserved its arguments on the matter for a later stage, signaling a strategic pause in what promises to be a fiercely contested trial.
Yero faced cross-examination from Kyari’s counsel, who probed the witness on the nature of Kyari’s reputation and operational scope. Yero acknowledged Kyari’s status as a celebrated “super cop,” known for high-profile operations nationwide, but maintained that the financial evidence spoke for itself. When asked why Kyari refused to provide a written statement to the NDLEA, Yero recounted that the defendant insisted on explaining himself in court, a stance he has now been compelled to fulfill.
Broader Legal Context
Kyari’s current trial is one of two legal battles he faces. Alongside the 10-count charge for asset concealment, he and four former IRT members—ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, and Inspector John Nuhu—are accused of tampering with cocaine seized from two convicted drug traffickers at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. All defendants have pleaded not guilty and remain in custody as the cases unfold. The NDLEA has indicated plans to call two additional witnesses, with the trial adjourned to March 24, 2025.
The allegations of financial impropriety add to a litany of controversies surrounding Kyari. Previously indicted in the United States for his alleged role in a $1.1 million fraud scheme involving Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi), Kyari’s once-stellar career has unraveled under intense scrutiny. His suspension by the NPF in July 2021 marked the beginning of a downfall that has now escalated into a multi-faceted legal reckoning.
A Clash of Narratives
Kyari’s family has vehemently disputed the NDLEA’s claims. In a statement issued on March 14, 2025, through Media Assistant Daniel Okpotu, they asserted that Kyari operates accounts with only four banks—UBA, GTB, Sterling, and Access—with a combined balance of less than N4 million. They argued that the N200 million figure reflects cumulative deposits and withdrawals over 23 years, including salaries and legitimate expenses, rather than a standing balance. “Any banker in Nigeria can verify this,” the statement insisted, dismissing the allegations as recycled falsehoods from a “sponsored media trial” three years prior.
This defense contrasts sharply with Yero’s testimony, setting the stage for a battle of credibility. The prosecution’s reliance on forensic data and the defense’s appeal to transparency promise to keep the courtroom spotlight on Kyari’s financial dealings.
Implications for Nigeria’s Justice System
As of March 21, 2025, Kyari’s case remains a focal point in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and abuse of power. The revelations of over N200 million flowing through 10 bank accounts underscore broader questions about accountability within the nation’s security apparatus. For a figure once lauded as a crime-fighting icon, the stakes are high—not just for Kyari, but for public trust in the institutions he once represented.
With the trial poised to resume in days, Nigerians await further testimony that could either cement Kyari’s guilt or bolster his defense. For now, the witness’s account stands as a damning narrative of wealth amassed beyond official means, challenging the legacy of a man once dubbed a “super cop.”
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