A civil society organization – Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers & Advocates (COPA) – has asked the Nigeria Police Force to hand over the investigation of Abba Kyari to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This was contained in a statement issued Friday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, COPA National Coordinator, on behalf of the by the lawyers.
DCP Kyari is wanted by the United States for his alleged role in a $1million scam allegedly perpetrated by Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, and five others.
The United States District Court for the Central District of California alleged that Hushpuppi used Kyari to arrest and jail a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, after the latter threatened to expose an alleged $1million fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
Lawyers
The Inspector-General of Police on Thursday subsequently ordered a probe of Kyari, who is Commander, IGP Intelligence Response Monitoring Team, after a United States Court issued an arrest warrant for his alleged links to Hushpuppi. He has since denied the allegation.
Regarded as a ‘super cop’, Kyari Kyari, had received rapid promotions and a commendation from the National Assembly for his exploits in crime-fighting.
But the COPA argued that the Police would not do a thorough and independent investigation of Kyari because of how highly many Police officers and commanders place the IRT boss.
Thus, the lawyers resolved, “That the weight of the allegation(s) against DCP Abba Kyari puts his repute and office in question and invites a thorough investigation into the matter in a manner free from prejudicial interference from his colleagues and associates.
“That, bearing in mind the popularity and near hero-worship of Mr. Abba Kyari among the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force, we wish to express our doubt in the Force’s capacity to impartially lead and conduct an investigation into the FBI’s indictment of their personnel.
“Simply put, the Nigeria Police Force is inherently unfit and unqualified to lead an investigation into the severe allegations of fraud made against one of its most adored personnel.
“Consequently, it is our demand that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission undertake and oversee an investigation into the weighty allegations against Mr. Abba Kyari, doing so in a working partnership with the FBI that has so far demonstrated vigorous resolve in leaving no stones unturned in this matter.
“Further that, the Police Service Commission, which is statutorily empowered to serve as an oversight body over the Nigeria Police Force, must immediately investigate Mr. Abba Kyari’s alleged abuse of Police powers by unlawfully arresting and detaining a Nigerian citizen at the whim and for the pleasure of Hushpuppi who allegedly paid him to do so.”