How Abba Kyari Allegedly Received N200 Million Through 10 Bank Accounts

ABUJA – The ongoing trial of former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, regarding allegations of asset non-disclosure, resumed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. A prosecution witness detailed how investigations revealed that the defendant allegedly received over N200 million through 10 active bank accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Bank Accounts Tracked Through BVN

The witness, Mr. Ahmed Yero, a Chief Investigator at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), testified that a total of 12 bank accounts were traced to Kyari. However, two of these accounts were dormant. He disclosed that despite Kyari declaring only three bank accounts, forensic analysis using the BVN portal provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exposed 10 actively operated accounts.

Foreign Currency Accounts and Financial Analysis

The investigator further testified that Kyari maintained multiple domiciliary accounts in USD, EUR, and GBP.

“One of the accounts was a salary account used to receive police wages and allowances. However, after analyzing the bank statements spanning 16 years (2006-2022), we discovered inflows exceeding his official earnings.”

The witness explained that some funds were transferred directly from CBN under the label “operational funds” but were later disbursed to family members and associates.

Undisclosed Assets and Trial Proceedings

The court admitted as evidence Kyari’s bank statements, BVN analysis, and financial records. Kyari, however, declined to provide a written statement to NDLEA, opting to present his defense in court.

When cross-examined, the witness acknowledged that Kyari was once hailed as a “super cop” and frequently handled high-risk criminal operations, including counterterrorism. However, he stated that the NDLEA team did not assess the number of operations Kyari led or their financial implications.

Further testimony revealed that while Kyari declared some assets, including properties in Maiduguri, Borno State, he failed to account for others, attributing them to his late father and wife.

Prosecution and Charges Against Kyari

The NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari and his siblings, Mohammed and Ali Kyari, on a 10-count charge related to asset concealment. Additionally, he faces another eight-count charge for allegedly tampering with cocaine seized from drug traffickers at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Alongside Kyari, four other officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT)— ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba, and Inspector John Nuhu— are also facing trial.

The trial, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has been adjourned until March 24, as the NDLEA intends to present two additional witnesses.

For more details on asset tracking in law enforcement investigations, visit NDLEA Official Website.