Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, and his co-defendants would temporarily forfeit their homes and bank accounts to the Federal Government.
In a letter written to the Ministry of Justice last week, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) requested that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), provide clearance for the seizure of assets belonging to Kyari and his co-accusers.
Before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suspended DCP and his co-defendants face eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction, cocaine peddling, and other connected offenses.
Some of the assets include cash and money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, real estate, hotels, buildings, wristwatches, jewelry and other valuable possessions.
A senior justice ministry official told The Punch that Malami has granted a request made by the NDLEA to seize their assets pending the outcome of their case in court.
He disclosed that the seizure of assets of the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-accused was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.
“The AGF has endorsed the request by the NDLEA seeking approval for the confiscation of the assets of Abba Kyari, Ubua, and the other police officers involved in drug dealing.
“With the approval, the drug agency can now go after their property such as real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks, bonds and anything of monetary value.” the source said.
Recall that the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had confirmed that the agency had traced about N4.2bn to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.
Babafemi added that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen in line with standard practice.
