Hushpuppi $1m Fraud: My Hands Are Clean, Those Celebrating My Allegation Will Be Disappointed – Abba Kyari

Abba Kyari, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, claims he is unaware of a $1 million fraud charge involving reputed international fraudster Ramon Abbas nicknamed Hushpuppi.

On Thursday, Kyari, a leader of the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team, said on his verified Facebook page that those celebrating his supposed indictment will be disappointed because his hands are clean.

He also described his two-year encounter with Hushpuppi, claiming that the latter called his office and alleged a death threat from someone.

The suspect, Chibuzo Vincent, was apprehended but later freed after investigations found that “they are long-time pals who have money issues between them,” according to the cop.

Kyari further stated that Hushpuppi had not given him any money.

Hushpuppi used Kyari to arrest and jail a co-conspirator, Vincent, after the latter threatened to expose a $1 million fraud committed against a Qatari businessman, according to the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Hushpuppi, 37, pleaded guilty to crimes including money laundering, wire fraud, and felony, among others, in a plea bargain form that he personally signed. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 20 years in prison and other fines.

Hushpuppi reportedly colluded with five individuals, including Vincent, to deceive a businessperson (whose identity was suppressed) by posing as consultants and bankers who might help finance the development of a school in Qatar, according to the court’s indictment.

Hushpuppi collaborated with some of his criminal associates, including Kenyan Abdulrahman Juma, 28, and Nigerian Chibuzo Vincent, 40. Yusuf Anifowoshe, 26, Rukayat Fashola, 28, and Bolatito Agbabiaka, 34, are the others.

Hushpuppi, on the other hand, is said to have pursued Vincent when a team feud erupted and the latter threatened to disclose the scam to a Qatari billionaire.

“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” the statement partly read.

But reacting, Kyari said, “Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2 years ago that somebody in Nigeria seriously threatened to kill his family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s phone number and pleaded we take action before the person attacks his family.

“We traced and arrested the suspect and after investigations, we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life. And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

“Nobody demanded a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

“Later, he saw some of my native clothes and caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The native clothes and caps (5 sets) were brought to our office and he sent somebody to collect them in our office.

“Nobody demanded any money from Abbas Hushpuppi and nobody collected any money from him. We responded to a distress call he made on threat to his family and released the suspect when we discovered there was no life threat from the suspect. This is the true story. Vincent is alive, he can be contacted.”

“For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious big money, they will be disappointed once again as our hands are clean and our record of service for 2 decades is open for everybody to see.

“They will continue seeing us serving our father land and we will continue responding to all distress calls from all Nigerians provided they are life threatening,” the cop added.

Hushpuppi is known to have flaunted his luxury lifestyle in private jets with exotic wines and expensive wristwatches. His social media handles were replete with photos of his ostentatious lifestyle before his arrest last year June in Dubai after which he was extradited to the US where he is being prosecuted for money laundering and internet fraud-related charges.