By Babs Oyetoro
Moments after the Federal Government disclosed plans to finally extradite the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday tweeted that its charges against the detained super cop had already by filed in court before the new plan to deport him to the United States.
NDLEA tweeted: “Please note that the charges against Abba Kyari and 6 others were filed by @ndlea_nigeria since Monday 28th February 2022, the case since assigned to a judge with arraignment fixed for Monday 7th March at FHC 8 Abuja.”
The tweet came after the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice confirmed an extradition request by the United States Government on the suspended Kyari.
The NDLEA said it will arraign Kyari before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on March 7 over an eight-count charge bordering on alleged drug trafficking.
The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 include Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu. The three defendants are members of the police intelligence response team (IRT)
Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
In the charge filed by Joseph Sunday, NDLEA director of prosecution and legal services, before a federal high court in Abuja, the agency accused Kyari and the four other police officers of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.
It also alleged that Kyari and his men unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of cocaine.
Umeibe and Ezenwanne were accused of conspiring with others at large to import 21.35kg of cocaine into the country.
Meanwhile, the Federal government said it has concluded arrangements for Kyari’s extradition to the US where the long arms of the law are waiting for his arrival.
Kyari has been on the wanted list in the US over a case of $1.1 million internet fraud perpetrated by a Nigerian, Abbas Rhamon, also known as Hushppopi, and four others.
The US, therefore, requested the extradition of the suspect to enable him to face Justice.
Disclosing the Federal Government’s extradition approval yesterday, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said an application has been made to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act.
Malami noted that the application followed a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the US Embassy in Abuja.
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The request is “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment”
The AGF said he was satisfied that the offence in respect of which Kyari’s surrender is not political nor is it trivial.
He said Kyari, “if surrendered, will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained or restricted in his liberty, because of his race, nationality or political opinions”.
Malami said having regard to all the circumstances in which the offence was committed, it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him.
The AGF said he was also satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender was sought.
In April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the US District Court and demanded Kyari stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.
Consequently, the US Embassy requested Kyari’s extradition saying, “On April 29, 2021, based on the indictment filed by the grand jury and with the approval of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari.
“Kyari is wanted to stand trial in the United States for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and identity theft.
Kyari is the subject of an indictment in case Number 2:21-cr-00203 (also referred to as 2:21-MJ-00760 and 2:21-CR-00203-RGK), filed April 29, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.”
The embattled ‘super cop’ was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian Hushpuppi to commit the crime.
The charges against Kyari reads, “Count one: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years;
“Count two: Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
“Count three: Aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting that offence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.
With the current move by the FG, it may well be time for the super cop to answer his name in the states. Kyari is also the subject of an investigation by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA over some shady drug deals.
