IGP Usman Alkali Baba
IGP submits report on Kyari to PSC
Four months after launching a probe to investigate former Head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari over allegations leveled against him by a cybercrimes suspect under trial in the United States, Ramon Abbas, as well as that brought forward by America’s Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman, has finally submitted report of the panel.
The IGP submitted the report of the probe panel to the Police Service Commission (PSC) four months after it was first handed over to him.
Kyari came under the radar of the authorities over his alleged role in a $1.1m internet scam. The scam was allegedly perpetrated by suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, and four others.
Kyari was also indicted by the FBI which had had consequently requested his extradition to the United States to stand trial for the charges.
The IGP had constituted a Special Investigation Panel (SIP), headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Departmentto investigate the charges.
The SIP was inaugurated on August 2, 2021.
The panel had invited and taken testimonies from Kyari and other persons linked to the matter. Thereafter, it had turned in its report to the IGP on August 26, 2021.
While receiving the report back in August, the IGP had commended the panel for the work done, while noting that the Force Management would review the findings and recommendations before forwarding same to the necessary authorities for action.
It would be recalled that Ramon was arrested by the Dubai Police working in collaboration with Interpol and the FBI in the United Arab Emirates in June 2020 in an operation codenamed ‘Fox Hunt 2.’
He was later extradited to the US to stand trial for internet fraud and other related charges. Investigations conducted by the FBI alleged that he had engaged Kyari to illegally detain a co-conspirator, identified as Chibuzo Vincent, after he allegedly threatened to expose a $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
The FBI alleged that Kyari had benefitted from the proceeds of the fraud.
On July 13, 2021, the IGP had recommended the suspension of Kyari.
Kyari was subsequently suspended by the PSC on July 31 with the IGP thereafter constituting the SIP to probe the allegations.
