The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims that the Special panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to probe the former Head, Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari has submitted its report.
According to the statement signed and released on Wednesday 17th August 2021, by Police Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, stated that the four-man panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, is yet to submit its findings to the IG as being wrongly reported.
The statement by CP Frank Mba reads:
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform the general public that the probe into the alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari by the FBI, being conducted by the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP), is still ongoing.
Members of the public are enjoined to note that the panel has not submitted its report to the Inspector General of Police, as being wrongly reported in some news outlet and online platforms.
The Force hereby reassures the public that the outcome of investigations by the probe panel would be communicated accordingly upon conclusion of the investigations.”
DCP Abba Kyari is being investigated for his alleged links to a suspected fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, who is standing trial for various offences that include internet fraud and money laundering.
This comes after the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, issued an arrest warrant for his arrest.
Hushpuppi has since pleaded guilty to the charges and, risks a 20-year-jail term, three-year supervision upon completion of jail term, and monetary restitution to the tune of $500,000 or more.
US court documents outlined a dispute among members of the Hushpuppi conspiracy, which allegedly prompted him to arrange to have an individual identified as ‘co-conspirator’ Kelly Chibuzor Vincent, jailed in Nigeria by DCP Abba Kyari.
According to the affidavit, “Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest.
“Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.”
Following the development, the police chief on August 1 recommended the suspension of Kyari to the Police Service Commission, with effect from July 31, and also set up the SIP to investigate the allegations against him.
He was subsequently replaced at the IRT by Tunji Disu, also a DCP.