IG Baba orders review of bribery allegations against DCP Kyari

[By VICTOR NZE]

Following his indictment by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and consequent warrant issued for his arrest by a court in that country, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a review of the allegations leveled against embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

Kyari is alleged to have received huge sums of money from a $1.1million loot said to be bribes paid by suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (alias Hushpuppi) who is presently in the United States facing trial for offences bordering on money laundering and cybercrimes.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, Thursday, said the order by the IGP is ‘sequel the receipt of allegations and indictment processes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against’ Kyari.

“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,” the statement by Mba read.

A United States Court has already issued a warrant of arrest on Kyari.

Judge Otis Wright of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to track down Kyari and produce him in the United States for his role in a multi-million dollar fraud perpetrated by Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, a notorious Nigerian fraudster.

Abbas was arrested in Dubai last June and he pleaded guilty to fraud in the U.S. this week. The FBI said Messrs Abbas and Kyari have been friends and were both involved in a conspiracy to launder money. Kyari was also indicted of receiving bribes from Abbas to arrest a member of the syndicate in Nigeria.

U.S prosecutors first sought a court warrant to arrest Kyari on February 12, 2021, according to court documents seen by The Gazette. Another warrant was requested on April 29, 2021.

Judge Wright’s permission for the FBI to arrest Kyari and hold him in U.S. custody was unsealed on July 26.

Meanwhile, the embattled Kyari, who also doubles as lead member of the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team in the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, has issued a statement via his Facebook account as he denied receiving money from suspected internet fraudster Hushpuppi, while also stating his side in the episode.

“Friends: Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2 years ago that somebody in Nigeria Seriously threatened to kill his Family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s Phone number and pleaded we take action before the Person attacks his family.

“We traced and arrested the Suspect and after investigations we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the Suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

“Nobody demanded for a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to Save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

“Later, he saw some of my Native Clothes and Caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The Native Clothes and Caps (5 sets) were brought to our office and He sent somebody to Collect them in our office.

“Nobody demanded any money from Abbas Hushpuppi and nobody collected any money from him. We responded to a distress call he made on threat to his family and released the Suspect when we discovered there was no life threat from the Suspect. This is the true story. Vincent is alive, he can be contacted.

“For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious Big Money, They will be disappointed once again as our hands are clean and our record of Service for 2 decades is open for everybody to See. They will continue seeing us serving our father land and we will Continue responding to ALL distress Calls from ALL Nigerians provided they are life threatening.

“For Good Nigerians who appreciate our Service please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false Narratives without any Evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors,” his statement read, Thursday.

Hushpuppi has been in the custody of United States prison authorities for charges relating to internet fraud since his arrest in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Interpol, last year, alleged that he paid the police chief money to help him jail a rival fraudster in Nigeria.