Kyari Remains in Custody Despite Acquittal in Asset Case, Says NCoS

Kyari Remains in Custody Despite Acquittal in Asset Case, Says NCoS

The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service has clarified that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, is still in its custody despite being discharged by a court in one of the cases filed against him.

The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting that the former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force had regained his freedom after the court ruling.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command of the correctional service, Samson Duza, explained that Kyari remained in custody because he is still standing trial in another case related to alleged drug offences.

Duza gave the clarification in Abuja while reacting to inquiries about the status of the suspended police officer after the recent judgment.

According to him, Kyari is currently facing two separate criminal cases, noting that the court ruling only addressed the charges relating to alleged false declaration of assets.

He explained that the court discharged the embattled police officer in the asset declaration case after ruling that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

“He is having two cases. One for wrongful declaration of assets and the other for a drug-related offence,” Duza said.

“The one for wrongful declaration of assets is the one he was discharged for lack of merit or evidence.”

The correctional service spokesperson added that the presiding judge in the case held that the prosecution could not establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

According to him, the court described the case as weak after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Despite the ruling, Duza stressed that Kyari cannot regain his freedom for now because the second case involving alleged drug trafficking is still ongoing before the court.

“The ongoing drug-related trial has not been concluded, and as such, Kyari will continue to remain in our custody pending the outcome of the proceedings,” he said.

Kyari, once regarded as one of the most prominent crime-fighting officers in Nigeria, came under investigation in recent years following allegations linking him to illicit drug activities.

His legal troubles began after anti-narcotics authorities accused him and some members of his team of having links with a suspected international drug trafficking network.

The allegations eventually led to his arrest and prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The latest clarification by the correctional authorities was issued to correct public misunderstanding arising from reports that Kyari had been fully cleared of all charges.

Officials of the service emphasised that the recent court decision only relates to the asset declaration case and does not affect the ongoing drug-related trial.

They reiterated that the suspended police officer remains in lawful custody while the judicial process continues.

Kyari’s case has attracted widespread public attention because of his former role as the head of the Intelligence Response Team, a unit that handled high-profile criminal investigations across the country.

Before his suspension, he was known for leading operations against kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, earning national recognition within the law enforcement community.

The correctional service maintained that it would continue to keep the officer in custody in line with court directives until the remaining case against him is determined.