Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team, has been suspended by the Police Service Commission following his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million internet fraud.
This happened just hours after Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, recommended Kyari’s “immediate suspension” from the Nigeria Police Force.
Kyari’s suspension began on July 31, 2021, according to the police commission.
On Sunday, the commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, signed a statement headed, “FBI indictment: PSC suspends DCP Abba Kyari, instructs IGP to give it with information on subsequent developments.”
“The Police Service Commission has suspended Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team, from exercising the powers and functions of his office,” the statement stated.
“Abba Kyari’s suspension began on July 31, 2021, and will continue until the outcome of the inquiry into his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States.
“The Commission has also instructed the Inspector General of Police to provide it with updates on the situation so that it can take appropriate measures.
“The Commission’s decision, which was conveyed to the Inspector General of Police today, Sunday, August 1st, 2021, in a letter with reference, PSC/POL/D/153/vol/V/138, was signed by Hon. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Supreme Court Justice and Honourable Commissioner 1 in the Commission for the Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police who is c
Abass Ramon, nicknamed Hushpuppi, and Kyari were among six individuals accused in a $1.1 million international fraud scheme, according to an FBI criminal complaint filed in California’s United States District Court.
Abdulrahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka are the other suspects (Bolamide).
Kyari, dubbed “Super Cop,” has been under fire after the FBI published a 69-page court document last Wednesday revealing that he was being investigated by the bureau for his apparent ties to Hushpuppi, who had pled guilty to fraud.
The FBI sought a US District Court in California to order Kyari’s detention for ten days in the case 2:21-cr-00203, USA VS Abba Alhaji Kyari, dated April 29, 2021.
Kyari’s suspension, according to the IGP, is meant to create a conducive environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to conduct its investigations into the serious charges levelled against him without interference.
