Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has disclosed that disgraced policeman, Abba Kyari, fingered in Ramon ‘Hushpupi’ Abbas multimillion-dollar internet fraud, may be extradited to the United States to face charges.
In an interview with ChannelsTV, a prima facie case had been established against the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police over allegations levelled against him by the United States government.
Malami noted that multiple jurisdictions were involved in the matter, including the United Arab Emirates, America, and Nigeria.
He added that though investigations were still on-going, the possibility of extraditing the officer was high.
Malami explained;
There are lots of considerations that are on-going, including the possibility of extradition and that is why the collaboration element comes in. There could be a need for extradition.
As far as I am concerned, parties are discussing; we are collaborating and there are exchanges of correspondence. Reasonable ground of suspicion has been established and that will eventually translate into prosecution and eventual conviction.
Read Also: Breaking: Police Commission Suspends Abba Kyari Over FBI Indictment
He noted;
The position now is that there are prima facie grounds, reasonable grounds for suspicion have been considered from the perspective of prosecution, from the perspective of extradition if the need for it arises.
Malami also addressed the question of terrorism sponsorship and assured Nigerians that nothing would be hidden in terms of names, associated facts, and circumstances.
Read Also: US Gathers 2,700 Electronic Files, 6,700-Page Documentary Evidence For Abba Kyari’s Case
According to him;
Work is in progress and nobody has been taken to custody arbitrarily. In a couple of weeks, these people will be charged to court. In a number of weeks, we will have something tangible. I am a man of honour, not out of pride, but when I make promises, I keep to them.
Last week, Police Service Commission (PSC) called for an immediate dismissal and prosecution of Kyari.
Read Also: PSC Orders More Probe Into Abba Kyari’s Link To Hushpuppi
Two sources and internal memos outlined how the police regulatory body placed the interest of the Nigeria Police Force as an institution over Kyari’s career trajectory and medals.
PSC had maintained that, if not appropriately and firmly decided, the case could leave an enduring blight on Nigeria’s law enforcement.
Read Also: Abba Kyari Collected N8m From Hushpuppi To Detain Chibuzo – FBI
Background
In July 2021, Kyari was suspended for his alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had in its report alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020.
Read Also: US Court Reportedly Postpones Sentencing Of Hushpuppi Till July 11
Hushpuppi alleged that he paid bribe to Kyari to have one of his rival, Kelly Chibuzor Vincent arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1 million scam (N583,300,000) of a Qatari businessperson.
When summoned by the police hierarchy, Kyari denied any wrongdoing.
A four-man Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, was then set up to probe Kyari.
