The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), pending the outcome of ongoing internal investigations into his indictment by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the Nigeria Police, Frank Mba, on Sunday.
According to the statement, IGP Baba made the recommendation to the Police Service Commission in a letter dated July 31, 2021.
The statement read: “The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference. The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID). The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations.”
Okay.ng recalls that a United States Court had recently ordered the arrest of DCP Kyari. A District Court of California had issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari over his role in a $1 million fraud case involving notorious internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, and five others.
