Despite Hushpuppi's confession, Police panel finds DCP Abba Kyari innocent

 

The police investigative panel set up to dig into allegations of corruption leveled against embattled Deputy Commisioner of Police, Abba Kyari has failed to establish that he committed any crime in the United States of America.

Kyari had been suspended after the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that he had been indicted by internet fraudster, Hushpuppi for a connection with funds obtained by pretence.

Although the panel reportedly established that there was communication between Kyari and Hushpuppi, the Deputy Police Commissioner may be getting a soft landing after the panel failed to establish that Kyari was guilty of the FBI's claims.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has issued query to the former commander of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over the violations of office noticed in his communication with Hushpuppi, who is being held in FBI custody for internet fraud.

Reprts say the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is also looking into the FBI’s request for extradition of the famed police officer to the United States.

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A US court indicted Kyari as a conspirator in a $1.1 million fraudulent deal with Hushpuppi against a businessman from Qatar.

Following the allegations, the Police Service Commission (PSC) swiftly suspended Kyari from office as a deputy commissioner of police and head of the IRT based on the IGP’s recommendation.

Despite conceding that Kyari hadn’t committed a crime in the United Stetes, the investigative panel headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike which submitted its report in August, was however able to establish that there was communication between Kyari and Hushpuppi.

A major national daily reported on Sunday that, “The IGP has issued a query to Abba Kyari based on the findings of the panel. The panel discovered that there was communication between Kyari and Hushpuppi, as well as infractions on the part of the cop, which is against the procedure of engagement of the police”.

He, however, said the panel didn’t recommend the extradition of Kyari as it couldn’t be established that the decorated police officer committed any crime in the US.

“There is no proof that he committed any crime on the soil of the US to warrant his extradition. He will be sanctioned by the appropriate authorities here. However, it is for the AGF to advise if there is a ground to extradite him to the US, which is very unlikely,” he added.

Force spokesman, Frank Mba, in a telephone interview, disclosed that in line with the procedure of the Police, the IGP has forwarded the recommendations of the panel to the PSC for appropriate action.

“The committee submitted its report and the IGP has forwarded their findings to the appropriate authorities, which have oversight function on the police, specifically the PSC, which I believe is currently reviewing it,” he said.

Reacting, Dr Umar Gwandu, the media aide to the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said his boss would give his opinion on the matter as appropriate.

“In line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of the extant laws, the AGF will do the needful,” he said.

However, a senior police officer said it was only the PSC that could sanction Kyari as stipulated by law. He said the sanction could be suspension, reduction in rank or dismissal.

A security expert, Kabir Adamu, added that police officers could be tried in court in the case of a criminal offence.