The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered an investigation into the indictment of the Commander and IGP of the Intelligence Response Monitoring Team, DCP Abba Kyari, by a United States Court in the fraud case of Nigerian international fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
On Thursday the court issued an arrest warrant against Kyari for his alleged links to Hushpuppi.
An unsealed 69-page court document showed that he had been probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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, but unsealed on Wednesday, the FBI asked a US District Court in California to order the arrest of Kyari for 10 days.
The US Department of Justice in a statement revealed that Hushpuppi owned up to the crime during interrogation that he paid bribes to Abba Kyari, to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1m fraud involving a Qatari businessperson.
It was stated in the court document that in September 2019, Kyari travelled to Dubai and was picked by Hushpuppi’s driver.
A statement by the Department of Justice read, “Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria.
“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated Deputy Commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.”
Otis Wright of the United States District Court for the Central District of California had ordered the FBI to track down Kyari and produce him in the US for his role in a multi-million dollar fraud perpetrated by Hushpuppi.
Reacting to this, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, released a statement, saying the IGP has ordered an investigation into the allegation.
In the statement, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to the pursuit of justice and strengthening of its relationship with the FBI.
The statement titled, ‘Alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari: Inspector-General of Police orders a review of the information’, read, “Sequel to the receipt of allegation and indictment processes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation against one of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, DCP Abba Kyari, the Inspector- General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered an internal review of the allegations.
“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. Further developments on this case will be communicated to members of the public, accordingly.”
Also, the PDP made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, titled ‘Abba Kyari: PDP Demands Full Investigation.’
The statement partly read, “Our party demands that the APC administration should not sweep this matter under the carpet given the manifest rapport between Kyari and some top APC leaders. We urge President Buhari not to ‘ease out’ this case of corruption but should immediately restore the integrity and image of our nation by allowing for a forensic investigation on the suspect.”