Friday- 30th July, 2021: Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari who is currently beleaguered over alleged connection with suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, may have similar nemesis with the former Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu who was suspended over alleged insubordination and re-looting of recovered funds.
Recall that the EFCC boss was arrested in July 2020 by the Department of State Services, DSS, for allegedly re-looting recovered funds while fighting corruption.
The financial crime fighter who before his arrest was projected as one with financial integrity was subsequently suspended by the Federal Government following the allegations of gross misconduct.
Similarly, Abba Kyari who has been at the forefront battling criminality in the country, particularly in the Southeastern region, has been accused of collecting bribe from Instagram celebrity, Hushpuppi who is currently facing trial in the United State over money laundering allegation.
CEOAFRICA, on Thursday reported that the United States Department of Justice stated that an ongoing investigation revealed that Hushpuppi allegedly bribed Kyari to arrest one Mr Kelly Chibuzo Vincent, one of his associates in Nigeria.
But the police boss in a statement he hurriedly issued on Thursday through his verified Facebook page denied the allegations, saying that he did not receive any amount from Hushpuppi.
However, following the allegations, Otis Wright, presiding over the United States District Court for the Central District of California, ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to arrest and detain the DCP.
CEOAFRICA reports that the allegation triggered backlash from several Nigerians, including top political officials who took to their social media handles to demand the immediate removal of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, while reacting to the reports, said that Nigerians are patiently waiting to see how the governmenrt would handle the case.
According to him, the manner in which the Federal Government handles the allegations would determine if the president has preferential treatment for a certain ethnic group in the country.
In his post, Reno Omokri wrote, “Now that the lid has been blown off Abba Kyari’s ‘other room’ activities, we await what the Nigerian Government will do with its so called super cop, whose recent pastimes has been to attend celebrity weddings and burials. This alleged FBI indictment must not be swept under the table because he shares ethnicity with Buhari.
“We watch to see if Buhari will arrest Abba Kyari with the same speed and brutality with which he attempted to arrest Sunday Igboho. This will help us know whether some are more equal than others in Nigeria. If Abba Kyari was Igbo, by now, he would have been suspended”.
Likewise, one of the disciples of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, while reacting to the allegations, said Nigeria only knows how to “breed criminals like Abba Kyari”.
“We are no longer talking about criminals in the streets but criminals in uniform. We are talking about the Yahoo Yahoo boys in the uniform.
“Abba Kyari has been the one who masterminded all the killings in Biafra land including the burning of all police stations”, the Finland citizen stated in a live broadcast on Thursday.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also called on President Buhari to order an investigation into the allegations.
According to the opposition party, the revelation of Kyari's involvement as a receiver of proceeds of international fraud is disturbing, worrisome and a stain on Nigeria’s positive image.
Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP's spokesman, in a statement, warned that the revelation should not be swept under the carpet.
“Our party demands that the APC administration should not sweep this matter under the carpet given the manifest rapport between Kyari and some top APC leaders.
“We urge President Buhari not to “ease out” this case of corruption but should immediately restore the integrity and image of our nation by allowing for a forensic investigation on the suspect”, the statement added.
Contrarily, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister said he would not agree to the accusations, stating that Kyrai had risked his life to rescue the country from the hands of criminal elements.
In a post on his Facebook page, Femi Fani-Kayode wrote, “A super cop that has risked his life protecting us from kidnappers, murderers & terrorists all these years& that has arrested more criminals than any other is accused of taking bribes from a yahoo boy & scammer all the way from America & we are expected to believe it? Not me!
“Abba is one of the bravest, brightest and best cops in Nigeria and I will not believe these crazy allegations levelled against him or condemn him unless I see any evidence to the contrary”.
However, on Thursday, the Inspector Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba ordered an internal review of the allegations.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CP Frank Mba said “the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of justice and the strengthening of its professional relationship with the FBI and other international partners”.
