The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, has disclosed that the United States Government and the Nigerian Government are discussing the possible extradition of DSP Abba Kyari, the suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team, over his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by alleged international Internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and five others.
In an interview with local media, Malami posited that reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established against Kyari as such, the need to extradite him.
Malami further noted that this is an issue that has international and national dimensions, therefore, actions have been taken as it is a work-in-progress locally and internationally. According to him, they are doing whatever it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of the law regardless of the personalities that are involved.
“When criminality is involved, Nigeria and US naturally work together when there are elements of the offences that have taken place in the diverse jurisdictions. So, Nigeria is doing the needful by way of supporting what America is doing for the purpose of ensuring that the cases are tried accordingly within the context of the American context of it. And then, eventually, if there is need for local prosecution, nothing stops it”.
Abubakar Malami,
Commenting on the probe of Kyari, the AGF revealed that there are a lot of issues that are ongoing inclusive of the possibility of consideration for extradition and according to him, “that is where the collaboration element of it comes into play”.
Asked if a request for Kyari’s extradition had been made by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, he said: “There could be a need or perhaps the possibility of making such request. As far as I am concerned, the parties are discussing, the parties are collaborating, there are exchanges of correspondence from the perspective of investigation, from the perspective of extradition, and associated things”.
Malami further mentioned that reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established and that will eventually translate to the possibility of “prosecution and conviction if indeed one is adjudged guilty by the law”.
FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Kyari after a “co-conspirator”, Chibuzo Vincent, allegedly threatened to expose the alleged $1.1million fraud committed against a Qatari businessman. Innocenti, who disclosed he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, also alleged that the Hushpippi paid the police officer 8million Naira or for the arrest and detention of Vincent.
The United States Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California then ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari almost a year ago.
It can be recalled that Kyari took to Facebook on July 29, 2021, to deny the allegations, but he later deleted the post after editing it multiple times. On July 31, 2021, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, recommended the suspension of Kyari, from the Police Service Commission.
Read also: Aseidu Nketiah Must Retract Statement And Apologize- Dr. Adu Gyamfi
