Hushpuppi: FG considering extradition Of Abba Kyari to US – AGF  

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed on Monday that the federal government is considering the extradition of suspended senior officer of the Nigerian Police Force, DCP Abba Kyari, to the United States (U.S.) suspected to answer to alleged link with an international internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi. The justice minister stated that certain actions are going on, which according to him, collaboration between Nigeria and the United States to ensure justice is done on the case.

The minister started that there are grounds for suspicion and probable extradition for prosecution.  He noted that the case involves international and national jurisdictions, affirming that there is collaboration between Nigerian and the U.S. on the matter.

Malami had stated: “The position now is that there are prima facie grounds – reasonable grounds for suspicion that have been considered from the perspective of prosecution, from the perspective of likely extradition, if the need for so doing arises.

“It is an issue that has both national and international dimensions and in respect of the two, actions are being taken; it is a work in progress locally and internationally and we are doing whatever it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of the law, regardless of the personalities involved.”

The minister maintained that the Hushpuppi case has multiple jurisdictions, involving Nigeria, the U.S., and the UAE.

Malami had declared: “Within the context of the international comity of nations, as it relates to the prosecution of cases, the international community is indeed collaborating and providing the necessary support for the purpose of ensuring that justice is done to the case with the peculiarities of the matter taken into consideration.

“So, what I am saying, in essence, is that internationally and locally, all hands are on deck.

“So, Nigeria is, indeed, doing the needful by way of supporting what America is doing for the purpose of ensuring that the cases are tried accordingly within the context of the American aspect of it, and then eventually if there is need for local prosecution, nothing as well stops it.”

The minister said that both Nigeria and U.S. have made progress in joint investigations and the outcomes, noting that though no prosecution is being done yet in Nigeria.

Malami affirmed that the federal government would not rule out the possibility of consideration for the extradition of Kyari, adding that there have been exchanges of correspondence in that regard as well as investigation and associated matters.

Malami emphasized that Kyari may not have been found guilty but that reasonable grounds for suspicion will be enough for prosecution which may establish him guilty or otherwise.

The minister declared: “You cannot find someone guilty but perhaps, the reasonable ground for suspicion can be established and will translate to prosecution that will eventually translate to it.

“Reasonable ground for suspicion has been established and that will eventually translate to the possibility of prosecution and eventual conviction if, indeed, at the end of the day one is adjudged guilty by a court of law.”

Ramon Abbas, Hushpuppi, was extradited from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after his arrest in June 2020, to the U.S. for investigation and prosecution for internet fraud. He later pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)m in their investigation linked Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari to certain aspect of the criminal activities of Hushpuppi; a U.S. magistrate judge, Otis Wright, accordingly, issued a warrant of arrest on Kyari.

The Inspector General of Police had appointed a committee that investigated the allegations against the suspended DCP Kyari and submitted its report. The minister of justice, however, ordered fresh investigations of the suspended police officer, and thereafter, the new twist of events, relating to extradition and other actions emanated.