Connect with us

FEATURED

Hushpuppi, Kyari’s Saga: IGP, PSC Still Undecided On Kyari’s Fate Six Months After FBI Indictment

Published

on





Months after receiving the report of the probe panel on the alleged role of the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, the Inspector-General of Police, Baba Usman, has not forwarded any disciplinary recommendations to the Police Service Commission.

Kyari was investigated for his alleged role in a $1.1m Internet scam carried out by an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, and four others.

The probe followed Kyari’s indictment by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations, which recommended that the cop be extradited to the US to face trial.

Advertisement

The US Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California declined comments on the warrant of arrest it issued over six months ago that the FBI should apprehend Kyari and other defendants in the case.

The court’s Director of Media Relations, Thom Mrozek, in an email interview with Saturday PUNCH on December 13, 2021, also said the sentencing of Hushpuppi, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges, was still pending.

The Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates had in June 2020 arrested Hushpuppi and his gang. They were later extradited to the US for prosecution by the FBI.

Advertisement

The FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Kyari after a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, allegedly threatened to expose the alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.

Innocenti, who said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, had also alleged that the latter paid the police officer N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of Vincent.

Kyari had taken to Facebook on July 29, 2021 to deny the allegations, but he later deleted the post after editing it about 12 times.

Advertisement

The IG had recommended the suspension of Kyari, which the PSC carried out on July 31, 2021.

The police boss had on August 2, 2021, constituted the Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations.

Egbunike on August 26, 2021 submitted the panel’s report, which he said “is an outcome of a painstaking, transparent and exhaustive investigative process.”

Advertisement

He revealed that the report contained the case file of the probe, evidence and findings as well as testimonies from Kyari and other persons and groups linked to the matter.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, had on September 14, 2021, during a television interview said the findings and recommendations on Kyari had been submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for “legal opinion” and thereafter for presentation to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), adding that the final decision would be taken by the PSC.

But three months later, the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, told our correspondent that the commission had not received any disciplinary recommendations from the IG through the Force Disciplinary Committee almost four months after the Egbunike panel submitted its report to the police boss.

Advertisement

The recommendations of the FDC will inform the commission’s decision and also determine Kyari’s future in the force, but the matter is now inconclusive.

The PSC spokesman said, “What we received was the communication to the commission that the IG had received the Joseph Egbunike panel’s report and that they were working on it. So, it is not like they have sent a complete report to the commission; the commission is still expecting it from the police; they have not also made their recommendations known to the commission.”

Ani added that as far as the PSC was concerned, the Borno-born police officer remained suspended.

Advertisement

“He (Kyari) is still on suspension because we have not lifted it officially at the commission, because the commission approved his suspension,” he said.

On the in-house panel set up by the PSC to probe Kyari’s indictment, he said, “We are waiting for the police to send their own report; ours is an internal arrangement that will guide the commission in taking a decision. It is not a different panel, but we are working ahead of time to prepare the commission so that when the report comes from the police, we will have all the facts needed to assist them to make a decision on it.

“The commission is bound by the provisions of the constitution and as far as discipline for serving police officers from constables to DIGs is concerned, the constitution has given the responsibility to the commission. Because the IG is the operational head of the police, we will normally seek his advice and recommendations, but the final decision lies with the commission. It is a constitutional matter.”

Advertisement

The PSC spokesman said the police would be in a better position to give a reason why no disciplinary measure had been taken yet on the matter, according to pointblanknews.com report.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, did not take his calls and had yet to respond to a text message seeking the NPF’s position on the matter as of press time.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Click to comment
FEATURED12 hours ago

Capsized Naval Boat Drowns 6 in Delta, As Rescue Continues for 3 Missing

FEATURED23 hours ago

Chant of ‘No Objections’ Deafens Public Hearing on Anioma State Creation

FEATURED23 hours ago

South-South APC Backs Tinubu’s 2027 Bid as Sole Candidate, Endorse APC Govs in Major Political Scheme

FEATURED1 day ago

FBI Goes After Lagos-based Man Who Allegedly Diverted Trump’s 2025 Inauguration Fund of N460 Million

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Historic 71-Year Campaign for Anioma State Gains Momentum at Public Hearing as Delta North Monarchs Urge Justice and Action

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Isoko South Chair Urges Trainees of ‘More Cap-Up’ Scheme to Make Judicious Use of Starter Packs

FEATURED2 days ago

Constitutional Review: Stakeholders Unanimously Demand, Submit Memoranda for Creation of Anioma State from Delta

FEATURED2 days ago

Wike Bombs Amaechi, Accuses His Wife of Fleecing NDDC Funds, Calls Tinubu to Release Forensic Audit Report

Delta Politician
COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

NUJ Warri Lauds Tompolo, Other Benefactors, Tasks Delta Govt on Eburu Street Road Repair

OPINION2 days ago

ANIOMA STATE CREATION: ANOTHER FEATHER IN NWOKO’s CAP

FEATURED3 days ago

Chevron’s Boss Calls for Pragmatic Approach to the Future of Energy at NOG 2025

FEATURED3 days ago

DELTA CENTRAL 2027: WHAT URHOBO NATION NEEDS IS A SMART AND WORKING SENATOR, NOT AN OKPE-SLOT FILLER

FEATURED3 days ago

NEPC Forthcoming Promotion Exam: No Breach of Civil Service Rules – Official Dismisses Report of Nepotism

ENTERTAINMENT3 days ago

CEO of Rero TV Announces 5th Anniversary Celebration for Sapele

FEATURED3 days ago

Suspected Cultists Arrested as Police Recover Pistol, Stolen Vehicle in Delta

Advertisement
Advertisement