The Nigerian police boss has recommended that Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police, indicted by American authorities for alleged involvement with a $1m fraud be suspended.
DCP Kyari was indicted by a suspected fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, standing trial for internet fraud in the U.S.
In Abba Kyari’s defense made available on Facebook, he claimed that his only financial involvement with Hushpuppi was a ‘fashion deal’.
Inspector-General of Usman Alkali Baba made the recommendation to the Police Service Commission in a July 31 letter.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him,” Nigerian police spokesman Frank Mba said on Sunday morning.
Mba said the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its internal investigations.
The IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference. The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID). The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.
Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations.
CP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
1st August, 2021