FG Finally Approves Request to Extradite Abba Kyari to US, Gives Reasons
- The embattled deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, is now on the verge of being extradited to the United States
- This is as the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), filed an application before the court to grant the extradition request by the US
- Kyari who is also currently being detained by the NDLEA was accused by a US court of being involved in a $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi
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FCT, Abuja - The Federal government has approved the request by the United States for the suspended DCP Abba Kyari to be extradited over the $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi, a report by Vanguard has stated.
According to the newspaper, the FG's approval is contained in the application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Source: Instagram
It was learnt that the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act on Thursday, March 3.
The AGF said the application followed a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the US Embassy in Abuja.
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The request is “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment”, according to the report.
Why the US extradition request was granted - AGF
Malami, in the application, said he was satisfied that the offence in respect of which Kyari’s extradition request was made 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 added that upon his extradition, Kyari "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.
Malami said he was also satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought.
He noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.
Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), was the Police Intelligence Response Team commander until his suspension following his indictment by the US.
How Kyari's ordeal began
In April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the US District Court. It demanded Kyari stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
Consequently, the US Embassy in Nigeria requested Kyari’s extradition after the US court issued an arrest warrant against the Nigerian "super cop".
He was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian, Hushpuppi, to commit the crime.
The charges against Abba Kyari
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 report of the FG's approval of the US's request for Kyari's extradition has also been published by Leadership newspaper and The Punch.
The Federal Government has approved the request by the United States of America to extradite the suspended Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
The US had requested that Kyari be extradited over alleged $1.1million wire fraud involving Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi and four others.
Abba Kyari detained by the NDLEA, failed to get bail
Meanwhile, the bail application filed by Kyari has been turned down by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
During the sitting presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Monday, February 28, the court ruled that Kyari's bail application has been overtaken by events
The embattled super cop is currently being detained by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged links.
Source: Legit.ng
