Abba Kyari (police)

For the Army Brigadier who served as Governor of North-Central State, see Abba Kyari (military general). For the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, see Abba Kyari.

Abba Kyari
Inspector General of Police's Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) commander
Personal details
Born (1975-03-17) 17 March 1975 (age 49)
Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Maiduguri
OccupationPolice officer
AwardsNational Police Medal (2013)

Abba Alhaji Kyari (born 17 March 1975) is a former Nigerian police officer who was a Deputy Commissioner of Police currently on suspension[1] and relieved from all police duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his alleged connection with Gucci King, popular alleged fraudster Ramon Abbas "Hushpuppi".[2][3] He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Prior to his appointment as IGP-IRT, he served at Lagos State Police Command as a unit Commander in one of the PMF bases located in Lagos before he was promoted and transferred to serve as the Officer-In-Charge of the dis-banded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Involvement with Hushpuppi

On 29 July 2021, infamous Nigerian fraudster (Ramon Abbas) popularly known as Hushpuppi, who is currently serving an 11 years prison sentence in the United States for money laundering and cybercrimes, implicated Kyari as a party in an international scheme to defraud a Qatari school founder and then launder over $1.1 million in illicit proceeds.[4]

A 69 page court document outlined a dispute among members of the crime syndicate which allegedly prompted one Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma (also a fraudster) were engaged in fraud. After this, Abbas allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Kyari. The document further provided that Kyari allegedly sent Abbas account details into which he could deposit payment for Vincent's arrest and imprisonment.[5]

A report by Peoples Gazette highlighted how Kyari travelled to Dubai on the invitation of Hushpuppi and was treated to a good time with airport pickup, luxury hotel accommodation and city tour.[6]

Kyari, however, disputed these serious allegations leveled against him via his verified Instagram and Facebook accounts. A report by Peoples Gazette showed that the United States Department of Justice had issued a warrant of arrest and ordered Kyari's extradition.[7] The IGP however suspended him pending the report from the committee in charge of investigation.

Suspension

On 1 August 2021, the Inspector General of Police announced the suspension of Kyari from duty pending the determination of investigation of his involvement in the Hushpuppi fraud.[8]

In December 2021, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, submitted the probe panel report on Kyari to the Police Service Commission.[9]

Cocaine deal allegation

On 14 February 2022, a video clip of Kyari was exposed where he negotiated the release of some quantity of seized 25 kg cocaine, and offered $61,400 cash.[10][11][12][1]

On 7 March 2022, Kyari and six others were arraigned by the NDLEA on several charges bordering on conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine. However, Kyari and four others, who are police officers as well, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the anti-narcotics agency.[13]

References

  1. ^ "2023: Who Leads Nigeria?". This Day. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Meet Deputy Commissioner Of Police, Abba Kyari: The Commander, IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT)". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. ^ Akinnola, Richard (1 August 2021). "Nigeria's 3 major Abba Kyaris from Borno". The Punch. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ Mhobo, Justina (29 July 2021). "Hushpuppi narrates how he bribed Nigerian top cop Abba Kyari in $1.1 million deal". Peoples Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Criminal Complaint by Telephone or Other Reliable Electronic Means" (PDF). Peoples Gazette. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ Essien, Hillary (29 July 2021). "How police chief Abba Kyari flew to Dubai to spend good time with Hushpuppi: FBI". Peoples Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  7. ^ Mhobo, Justina (29 July 2021). "U.S. Court orders FBI to arrest, detain Abba Kyari over Hushpuppi multimillion-dollar fraud". Peoples Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Police IG Usman Baba suspends Abba Kyari over Hushpuppi multimillion-dollar fraud". Peoples Gazette. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Hushpuppi: Six months after FBI indictment, IGP submits report to PSC on Abba Kyari". The Nation. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  10. ^ Oyero, Kayode (14 February 2022). "How Abba Kyari negotiated release of 25kg cocaine, offered $61, 400 cash –NDLEA". The Punch. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  11. ^ "BREAKING: Nigerian Anti-drug Agency, NDLEA Declares Suspended Police Chief, Kyari Wanted For Drug Trafficking". Sahara Reporters. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  12. ^ Ibrahim, Salisu (14 February 2022). "Yanzu-Yanzu: An mika Abba Kyari ga NDLEA bayan kamo shi da abokan harkallarsa". Legit.ng (in Hausa). Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Drug trial: Abba Kyari pleads not guilty to charges". CountryTalk9ja. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.