The Nigerian federal government has approved the extradition procedure of Abba Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), to the United States (US). ayokinews.com reports
Kyari was in July 2021, indicted by the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI), a $1.1 million scam involving Ramon Abass alias ‘Ray Hushpuppi’, an international fraudster.
The suspended police officer disputed the allegation, insisting that his “hands are clean.”
In August 2021, Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), received a probe report from a panel set up to investigate Kyari’s involvement in the alleged crime.
The report was then forwarded to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami.
Following the report submission, Malami requested Kyari’s extradition from the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Extradition Act was used to file the application designated FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022.
The application was made in response to a request from the US embassy’s diplomatic representative in Abuja, according to the AGF.
”It is for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment,” the AGF said.
The AGF stated in an affidavit submitted in support of the extradition case that he is satisfied that the crime for which Abba Kyari, is being held responsible is neither political nor insignificant.
The AGF further stated that the request for Kyari’s surrender was made in good faith and in the interest of justice, not to harass or punish him because of his race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.
He stated that 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”.
According to the AGF, surrendering him will not be unfair or burdensome, nor would it be an excessive penalty, given the circumstances of the crime.
In addition, he stated that Kyari is not facing any criminal charges in Nigeria for the same offense.
Kyari was charged with conspiracy to conduct wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft by a jury in April 2021, with the US district court’s consent.
Requesting Abba Kyari’s extradition, the US embassy stated: “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.”
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