The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the review of the alleged involvement of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, in the ongoing trial of Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and his co-conspirators over a multi-million dollar fraud perpetrated.
United States District Court for the Central District of California had in statement on Wednesday said Hushpuppi bribed Kyari to arrest and jail an estranged ‘co-conspirator,’ Chibuzo Vincent, and ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to arrest
Kyari, who is the head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), however, denied the allegation.
Hushpuppi, 37, had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and felony, amongst others, in the US this week, and according to the FBI, Messrs. Abbas and Kyari were buddies and were both involved in a money-laundering scheme. Hushpuppi risks 20 years’ imprisonment and other penalties if convicted.
Kyari was charged with accepting money from Abbas in exchange for the arrest of “one of his rivals in Nigeria after a dispute over a $1.1 million scam on Qatari businesspeople”.
Reports said American prosecutors first filed a court warrant to arrest Kyari on February 12, 2021, while a new warrant for his arrest was issued on April 29, 2021.
On July 26, Judge Wright’s order allowing the FBI to arrest Kyari and hold him in US custody was made public.
However, in a statement by the Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, the IGP said the review of the FBI’s allegation by the Nigeria Police was in line with its commitement to ensure justice and professionalism.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of justice and the strengthening of its professional relationship with the FBI and other international partners,” the statement said.
“Further developments on this case will be communicated to members of the public accordingly.”
