Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, has been recommended for suspension from the Nigeria Police Force pending internal investigations into allegations of his involvement in a $1.1m internet fraud by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, titled, ‘FBI indictment: IGP recommends suspension of DCP Abba Kyari.’
According to the statement, the recommendation is contained in a letter by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to the Police Service Commission dated July 31, 2021.
Usman noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer was in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
A Special Investigation Panel comprising four senior police officers, headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Joseph Egbunike, was also set up to investigate the allegations against Kyari.
The FBI criminal complaint lodged at the United States District Court in California had listed Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, and Kyari among six suspects indicted in a $1.1m international fraud conspiracy.
The other suspects include AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka (Bolamide).
Kyari, who is popularly known as ‘super cop,’ had been under fire since the FBI, last Wednesday, unsealed a 69-page court document showing that he had been under investigation by the Bureau for his alleged link to Hushpuppi, who had pleaded guilty to fraud.
In the case marked 2:21-cr-00203, USA VS Abba Alhaji Kyari, dated April 29, 2021, the FBI requested that a California district court order the arrest and detention of Kyari for 10 days.
The IGP in the statement said Kyari’s suspension would facilitate a smooth investigation into the weighty allegations against him by the NPF Special Investigation Panel without interference.
The statement read, “The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“The SIP, comprising four senior police officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.
“The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The SIP is also to obtain a detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force leadership on the matter.”