The Federal Government and the Government of the United States are discussing possible extradition of the suspended anti-kidnapping chief, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday.
Kyari had been indicted as a conspirator in a $1.1m fraud deal involving a billionaire fraudster, Ramon Abbas, (Hushpuppi), leading to the request of his extradition to the U.S.to face trial.
The minister said reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established against Kyari.
Asked if the US Federal Bureau of Investigation had requested the extradition of Kyari, Malami said, “There could be a need or perhaps the possibility of making such a request.”
“As far as I am concerned, the parties are discussing, the parties are collaborating, there are exchanges of correspondence from the perspective of investigation, from the perspective of extradition, and associated things.
“Reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established and that will eventually translate to the possibility of prosecution and conviction if indeed one is adjudged guilty by the law.” the minister said.
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).
Earlier, a four-man Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, had probed Kyari.
Recently, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to deepen investigations into the connection between the embattled super cop and billionaire fraudster, Abbas Ramon (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.
Malami reportedly told the PSC that the police investigation on Kyari was not water-tight and that more facts were needed to establish the relationship between Kyari and Hushpuppi. It would be recalled that last year, FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, indicted Kyari in an alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
