Hushpuppi: Kyari risks dismissal, criminal prosecution -PSC
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said that it will determine the fate of the Commander of the IGP Intelligence Response and Monitoring Team, Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of Police indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged involvement in a $1.1m Internet fraud.
The commission also noted that Kyari might face dismissal or demotion, and criminal prosecution if found culpable in the fraud allegedly perpetrated by an Instagram influencer and suspected fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
A Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal complaint lodged at the United States District Court in California had listed Hushpuppi and Kyari among six suspects indicted in the international fraud conspiracy.
The other suspects include AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka (Bolamide).
Kyari, who is popularly known as ‘super cop,’ had received rapid promotions and a commendation from the National Assembly for his exploits in crime fighting.
His arrest of several notorious criminals, including alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudi Onuamadike, commonly known as Evans, among other notable arrests, shot him to the limelight.
On Wednesday, however, an unsealed 69-page court document showed that he had been under investigation by the FBI for his alleged link to Hushpuppi, who had pleaded guilty to fraud.
In the case marked 2:21-cr-00203, USA vs Abba Alhaji Kyari dated April 29, 2021, the FBI asked a US District Court in California to order Kyari’s arrest.
The US Department of Justice in a statement said Hushpuppi admitted during interrogation that he paid bribes to Kyari to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1m fraud involving a Qatari businessman.
According to the FBI, Hushpuppi asked Kyari to arrest a fellow fraudster, Kelly Chibuzor Vincent, after both were involved in a dispute over the $1.1m loot.
It was stated in the court document that in September 2019, Kyari travelled to Dubai and was picked by Hushpuppi’s driver.
Following the US court arrest warrant, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered a review of the information on Kyari.
Speaking to The Punch correspondent on Friday, the Commissioner in charge of Media on the board of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Austin Braimoh, said the PSC would not be bound by the IG’s review of the allegations against Kyari, noting that the commission would carry out further probe on whatever findings the Police authorities make on Kyari.
Braimoh stated that the commission’s findings would determine Kyari’s future in the Police Force.
-The Punch
