Former Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping chief Abba Kyari, and billionaire socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) on Saturday attended the wedding of Maina Alkali, son of Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba.
While Kyari was sacked as anti-kidnapping chief over corrupt links with international fraudster, Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi); Cubana was arrested and interrogated by EFCC and NDLEA over alleged money laundering and links with drugs lords.
The wedding Fatiha was held at the palace of Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on Saturday.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and his Yobe and Jigawa State counterparts, Mai Mala Buni and Badaru Abubakar, Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Senator Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, were some of the dignitaries that attended the event.
Kyari’s links with billionaire fraudster
Kyari was suspended in July 2021 for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020 – Kyari has denied any wrongdoing.
Hushpuppi will be sentenced on February 14 after striking a plea bargain deal with the United States authorities.
Kyari had taken to Facebook on July 29, 2021 to deny the allegations, but he later deleted the post after editing it about 12 times.
The IG had recommended the suspension of Kyari, which the PSC carried out on July 31, 2021.
The police boss had on August 2, 2021, constituted the Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations.
Egbunike on August 26, 2021 submitted the panel’s report, which he said “is an outcome of a painstaking, transparent and exhaustive investigative process.”
There seems to be fresh trouble for Kyari as Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed IGP Baba to deepen investigations into the connection between him and Hushpuppi.
It was gathered that the commission gave the IGP two weeks to turn in the report which would be reviewed by the PSC Standing Committee on Discipline.
Obi Cubana’s travails with EFCC, NDLEA
On the other hand, in on November last year, Obi Cubana was arrested and interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering and tax evasion.
In January 14, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested and grilled over four hours over alleged drug ties before he was granted bail and asked to return at a future date.
Cubana was interrogated for allegedly receiving suspicious payments into his accounts from three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India.
