…Attorney general Files Extradition Suit

NDLEA Files 8-Count Charge too

It is double-barrel trouble for disgraced cop Abba Kyari as the Federal Government on Thursday acceded to the request by the United States of America, to extradite the suspended Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, to the US to face criminal charges along with his associate Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi. On the same day, the NDLEA filed an 8-count charge against him in court fro dealing in drugs.

To extradite, is to hand over (a person accused or convicted of a crime) to the jurisdiction of the foreign state in which the crime was committed. Ramon Abbas is facing criminal charges for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business and email compromises frauds in the United States. Parts of the proceeds of the crime are allegedly traced to Abba Kyari through a forensic investigation.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Thursday, filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for Kyari’s extradition. This is a required step towards the extradition of a citizen.

The application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act. In the suit, the AGF said the application followed a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

The request is “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment”. He averred further that he was satisfied that the offence in respect of which Kyari’s surrender is requested is not political nor is it trivial.

The AGF also expressed satisfaction that the request for the surrender of Kyari was not made to persecute or punish him on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions but in good faith and the interest of justice. He said Kyari, “if surrendered, will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty, by reason of his race, nationality or political opinions”.

The AGF said having regard to all the circumstances in which the offence was committed, it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him. And, that he was satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought and noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.

It will be recalled that in April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court and demanded Kyari stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.

Consequently, the US Embassy requested for Kyari’s extradition saying, “On April 29, 2021, based on the indictment filed by the grand jury and with the approval of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari.

“The arrest warrant remains valid and executable to apprehend Kyari for the crimes with which he is charged in the indictment.

“Kyari is wanted to stand trial in the United States for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and identity theft.

“Kyari is the subject of an indictment in case Number 2:21-cr-00203 (also referred to as 2:21-MJ-00760 and 2:21-CR-00203-RGK), filed April 29, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.”

Kyari was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi to commit the crime.

The charges against Kyari reads, “Count one: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years;

“Count two: Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

“Count three: Aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting that offence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Thursday, filed an eighth-count criminal charge against the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, and six others it alleged were involved in drug trafficking.

The other Defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, which the agency lodged before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, were four members of the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

NDLEA, in the charge it filed through a team of lawyers led by its Director, Prosecution & Legal Services, Mr. Joseph Sunday, specifically accused DCP Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in Cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.

It equally alleged that Kyari and his men, who are currently in its custody, also unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of Cocaine.

Troubled Abba Kyari is currently in the cells of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency with four members of his team.