Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP_ Abba Kyari, has denied owning a property linked to him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his ongoing trial over non-disclosure of assets.
Kyari while testifying before Justice Omotosho on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, said some of the contentious properties belonged to his late father, who had “about 30 children”.
The ex-Head of the police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) said he was surprised by the allegations of ownership of the properties.
He added that the documents for the assets are with the Borno State’s Ministry of Land.
Kyari also denied ownership of a polo ground reportedly linked to him in Borno, adding that he could not afford such an expanse of land.
“Even Dangote, who is the richest man in Nigeria, does not own such a property; how much more someone like me,” he told the court.
“The polo ground had been in existence even when I was a child. We used to go there to play.”
Kyari, however, admitted ownership of a farmland located along the Abuja–Kaduna road, saying he had managed the property for about a decade.
He also confirmed operating accounts with UBA, Access Bank, and GTBank, adding that the £7,000 found in his domiciliary account had been properly declared.
He told the court that his accounts were later frozen by the prosecution.
Kyari further distanced himself from the operation at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, where two drug traffickers were arrested — the incident that triggered his suspension.
He alleged that NDLEA officers at the airport were complicit in the deal.
“I was not arrested because of the allegations. I voluntarily submitted myself for investigation through my office,” he said.
Omotosho adjourned the matter until November 5 for continuation of trial.
