By Cross Udo Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday said the extradition request by the United States Government on the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, is still being processed.

Kyari has been on the wanted list in the US over a case of $1.1 million internet fraud perpetrated by a Nigerian, Abbas Rahmon, also known as Hushppopi, and four others.

There were conflicting reports recently that the Federal Government may have soft pedalled, but the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, yesterday regretted what he called the misunderstanding created around the issue by the media, urging them to get a grip of the facts to avoid creating confusion.

Malami, who was fielding questions from journalists at the end of the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also said the Federal Government had yet to take any position on the Senate’s refusal to consider the request by President Muhammadu Buhari to delete section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Speaking on Kyari’s extradition request by the US, Malami said, “Starting with the issue of Abba Kyari as raised, maybe by way of an insight as to the workings of the Office of the Attorney General and Federal Ministry of Justice, we need to understand that it is not and has never been part of the functions and duties of the office of the attorney to conduct an investigation.

“So generally speaking, when issues are raised that have some criminal undertones, the responsibility of the office of the attorney general is to Eder same to the relevant agencies of government that are saddle the responsibility of investigation, inclusive, or perhaps the police, ICPC, EFCC among others.

“So, with that in mind, during the investigation, there is naturally correspondence and exchange of mutual correspondence between the offices.

“Fundamentally, after the investigation was deposited to the Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General will review same to see whether there is need for enhancement of investigation as it relates to certain key elements of the offense.

“So, it is from this background perspective that you will need to consider what fully transpired in the case of Abba Kyari. Allegations were made, investigations were conducted, and then the request for further enhancement of investigation was indeed made by the Office of the Attorney General to cover the field in arriving at an informed decision one way or the other.

“So, while this process of correspondence between the Office of the Attorney General and the police is ongoing, it is indeed a work in progress and never conclusive position. So that is what I can tell you clearly, there was indeed an independent request for an investigation. The interim Investigation report was presented to the office of the attorney general and the attorney general at the point requested for further enhancement of the investigation and highlighted some areas in respect of which enhancement of investigation is required.

“It is indeed premature or perhaps mischievous for any conclusion to have been driven in the direction of exoneration or otherwise of liability or responsibility related therein.”

*Considers other options on Electoral Act amendment request

On the Electoral Act amendment, Malami said the Federal Government would exploit all necessary options available to it concerning the Act.

Recall that President Buhari had drawn the attention of the leadership of the National Assembly on Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 and requested that the section should be deleted through a process of amendment.

He said that options available to the government included making a request/demand for the National Assembly to amend the contentious section of the Electoral Act, the judicial option which is approaching the court, or accepting the law as it is.

Malami said it is the responsibility of the lawmakers to legislate, adding that if it becomes necessary, the Federal Government will exploit all the options available to it.

He, however, said the government is yet to take a conclusive stand as to what it will do on the matter.

According to him, “The government has a lot of options to consider and exploit: One of the options is to demand the National Assembly to consider. The other option is to look at the law within the context and spirit of the law and see what it can do.

“And all these portions on table. No position has been conclusively taken on the part of the government. The government is reviewing, the government is looking and the government will come up with a position at the appropriate time. If the need for further action is required.

“If there is no further need for such action, the government will take it as presented. But no position has been taken by the government as of today with particular regard as to what needs to be done on the part of the executive arising from the provisions of the electoral act in the respect which issues conflict to the Constitution were raised.”

On the memo he presented to the Council, the Minister said, “Two items were presented by the Federal Ministry of Justice for the consideration of the Federal Executive concert. The two items are all relating what we are doing in the direction of the fight against corruption. They are intended to advance the fight against corruption, both locally and internationally, to the next level.”

Meanwhile, FEC also sanctioned a total of N43.05bn to facilitate the completion of projects including roads and bridges in various parts of the country.

This followed council’s approval of a memo by the Ministry of Works and Housing which sought the provision of quality infrastructure in the four affected areas.

The Minister of State, Muazu Sambo who briefed newsmen on the development after the meeting, said the projects include the realignment of the Kano state border Birnin Kudu-Bauchi state border Road in the total sum of N10.13bn.

He said, “This section of the road is notorious for fatalities and the loss of several lives over the years.”

Sambo said, “The second project approved is the reconstruction of a substandard breach at Pada road in Kogi State in the sum of N4.73bn with a completion period of 18 months.”

Continuing, he said “the third project is the construction of the Kaiyama Kishi Road in Oyo/Kwara states in the sum of N24.07bn with a completion period of 36 months.

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The Minister said Council further approved the reconstruction of a substandard bridge along Ihugh-Damkori-Vandeikya General hospital junction-Ogoja Road in Benue/Cross River states in the sum of N4.1bn with a completion period of 24 months.

He said these projects will bring to an end the menace of loss of lives due to bad roads, and lack of infrastructure.

According to him, the approval will also open up the communities around the project areas, adding, “They will provide access for the evacuation of goods and services and generally enhance the socio-economic lives of Nigerians living in the project areas directly and indirectly.”

Council further approved a memo brought by the Ministry of Industry, trade, and investment on behalf of the National Sugar Development Council for the construction of a N5.75bn new corporate headquarters in Abuja, with a completion period of 24 months.

The Minister, Niyi Adebayo explained that the job of the National Sugar Development Council, a parastatal under his ministry, “Is to catalyse the development of the sugar industry to ensure that Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in the production of sugar and also to export sugar in the nearest future.”