 |
| DCP Abba Kyari |
Until last week, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner in the Nigeria Police Force was seen as the best prize asset of the force (at least from governments viewpoint). Kyari and his former team of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) were the men to send' when tough security/crime challenges spring up in any part of the country. Mr. Kyari as the leader of his team have been celebrated for smoking out and eventually capturing the notorious high-profile kidnapper – Evans, the recent clamped down of Unknown Gunmen (UGM) and their activities in Imo State. Kyaris status as a Super Cop was further cemented when he was recognised for his unrivalled performances by the Nigerian House of Representatives in June 2020.
Despite his rising profile as a celebrity Cop for his smartness and dexterity in the delivery of his job, public opinion had questioned his modus operandi. He had been time past accused severally of playing dirt and vile in his scheme of work while using his office as means of ill-wealth accumulation. In some quarters, Kyaris status of an exceptional Nigerian Cop was too good to be true. In many articles published between October to November 2020, Kyari was accused of falsely arresting and extorting a Lagos-based businessman. Equally, Amnesty International had published his sacrilegious acts as the Officer-in-Charge of the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja Command.
Evidence released by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the countrys Department of Justice and directed to the Nigeria Police Force captured Abba Kyari and four others, Abdulrahman Imraan Juma, Vincent Kelly Chibuzo, Rukayat Moturaya Fashola, Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka as conspirators with Ramon Abbas (Hush Puppi) in a cyber-enabled fraud and business email compromise (BEC) scheme, through which they obtained and laundered at least one million dollars ($1m) from a Qatari victim.
According to the 69-page evidence, Kyari was indicted as part of the wire-fraud syndicate with the fallout of Ramon Abbas (Hush Puppi) and another team member, Chibuzo, who tried disrupting the business after he felt been cheated on deal by the former. Abbas having noticed Chibuzos ploy contacted Kyari to arrest, beat and detain Chibuzo for his interference in the fraud scheme. Kyari did as instructed by Abbas while sending him screenshots of Chibuzo in detention which Abbas confirmed happily. Whatsapp messages exchanged between Abbas and Kyari showed that Kyari sent Abbas a third-party account number opened in a Nigerian bank where Abbas wired up to the sum of eight million naira (#8m). In a later date, Kyari told Abbas through same chat medium that he refused to grant bail to Chibuzo despite his girlfriends willingness to pay. Further, chats exchanged between the two revealed that Chibuzo was later released on Abbas mercy when he got a skin disease but his gadgets were not handed over to him as Abbas had earlier directed.
Shortly after the court evidence made the headlines, Mr. Kyari through his Facebook page refuted Abbas bribing him to arrest Chibuzo following a dispute over the proceeds of their fraudulent activities. He explained that Abbas called him about two years ago to complain that Chibuzo threatened to kill his family. He said the suspect was arrested and later released after discovering there was no threat to any life, and that both parties are longtime friends who have money problems between them. Kyari explained that no money was involved to facilitate the arrest. He also stated that months later, he introduced Abbas to his tailor and then facilitated purchase of five pairs of native wears and caps for him for the sum of three hundred thousand naira (#300,000). However, Kyari has had his statement deleted after several edits.
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) having received the court evidence and in line with her internal disciplinary processes have had DCP Abba Kyari suspended. The NPF said the suspension will help to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigative Panel headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy-Inspector General of Police in-charge of Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to carry out its investigations against Kyari without interference. If found guilty, Abba Kyari risks demotion, sack from the Police Force or jail.
Till this moment, its not yet clear if the United States government have made any formal application that demands Kyaris extradition to the United States. Theres an already existing extradition law/deal between Nigeria and the US. To go through the extradition process, which is a rigorous one, the US government must through her consulate in Nigeria write to the Nigerian Attorney-General on the demand for extradition. In turn, the Attorney-General must work with a magistrate to either comply or not. This means a citizen or non-citizen alike cannot be handed over to another country unless the court is satisfied with the facts and position of the law. However, not all crimes are extraditable offences. Political offences such as espionage, sedition and treason are not extraditable offences. Whereas crimes such as kidnap, embezzlement, murder, terrorism, drug trafficking, rape, sexual assault, cyber and wire fraud are subject to extradition. Here, Kyaris case falls under the latter. Howbeit, the United States demands his extradition, the intrigues following could be interesting. In respect that Kyari was part of the Nigerias police intelligence unit, giving him out could be very detrimental to the nations interest. However, amid national interest, Nigerian government might demand he serves jail time here, if found guilty.
On a personal and professional note, Kyari a highly trained intelligence officer did a great disservice to himself and his office. For an intelligence officer to be found in association with a known Instagram celebrity, Abbas (HushPuppi) whom many questioned his source of wealth says a lot about his personality. Whether found guilty or not, hes stained and may never be redeemed in the public eyes.
Aside the bilateral rancour Kyaris case might cause between Nigeria and the US, it exposes Nigerians in diaspora and Nigerian businesses to attacks, bad imagery and representation all over the globe. Further it legitimises the claims of Nigerians as champs in crimes by the global community.
At the local level, Kyaris indictment further aids the gap of distrust between the security agents and ordinary citizens while proving that the allegations of corrupt practices against police officers need urgent and transparent attention.
The Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies need serious over because the question remains, who will watch the watchdogs. We cant continue to have security agents being compromised in crimes. This endangers the lives of the citizens and the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. Therefore, its on demand on all sectors, government agents and individuals to cultivate and maintain good values in order maximize our potentials and opportunities both on the local and global fronts.
This article was first published on the defunct Nationallightngr.com
Comments
Post a Comment