By Deborah Onyofufeke, Abuja
The extradition proceedings yesterday against the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari by the Federal Government to seek the court’s approval to hand him over to the United States got stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kyari is being asked by the US government to answer charges on his alleged involvement in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft with Abbas Ramon, A.K.A Hushpuppi.
The judge, Inyang Ekwo, had to adjourn the hearing based on the complaints of non-service by Mr Kyari’s legal team.
Earlier yesterday, the Federal Government’s lawyer from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Pius Akuta, informed the judge that the case was for a “preliminary hearing. But Mr Kyari’s lawyer, Nureni Jimoh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that the government’s relevant filings had not been served on him.
Mr Akuta then undertook to serve the necessary court documents on the defence within two days. The judge adjourned the suit until April 27, with a directive to Mr Kyari’s lawyer to respond to the government’s filing within 14 days of being served.
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The U.S. in 2021, hinted that Ramon Abbas, A.k.A. Hushpuppi, mentioned Kyari as a conspirator of a multi-million-dollars money laundering fraud.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on March 3, filed an extradition application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. According to the AGF, the U.S. authorities requested “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment.”
