Hushpuppi: Nigeria Police Reacts To FBI’s Fraud Allegations Against Kyari, Orders Probe

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has issued a directive for the immediate probe of the Commander, IGP Intelligence Response Monitoring Team, DCP Abba Kyari, who has been declared a person of interest by a United States Court for his alleged rapport to international fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi.

Kyari, who is popularly known as ‘super cop,’ had received rapid promotions and a commendation from the National Assembly for his exploits in combating crime. 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 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 said Hushpuppi admitted 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.

According to the FBI, Hushpuppi asked Kyari to arrest 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

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.

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“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.”

Meanwhile, the IG has ordered an internal review of the allegations against the accused of involvement in financial fraud with Hushpuppi.

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 the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the IG ordered an internal review of the allegations against Kyari after receiving the indictment processes from the FBI.

Mba said this in a statement on Thursday, titled, ‘Alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari: Inspector-General of Police orders a review of the information.’

It 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.”

Source: Punch

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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