BREAKING: Nigerian Government Agrees To Extradite Disgraced ‘Super Cop’, Abba Kyari To The US

Nigeria has authorized the US government’s request for the extradition of Abba Kyari, the sacked Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Kyari was charged with cheating on his wife, money laundering, and identity theft.

He was also suspected of collaborating with Ramon Abbas, nicknamed Hushpuppi, an Internet fraudster who has pled guilty.

In April 2021, a grand jury indicted Kyari, with the permission of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, submitted a plea for Kyari’s extradition before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to IO Nigeria, an application designated FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was submitted under the Extradition Act.

The application was made in response to a request from the US Embassy’s Diplomatic Representative in Abuja, according to the AGF.

It’s “in exchange for Abba Alhaji Kyari’s surrender, who is the subject of a superseding three-count indictment.”

Kyari and five other cops were recently arrested and detained by the National Narcotics Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with a drug deal.

The AGF claimed in an affidavit filed in support of the extradition application that he was satisfied that the crime for which Kyari’s surrender is sought is neither political nor insignificant.

The AGF was also pleased that the request for Kyari’s surrender was made in good faith and in the interest of justice, rather than to harass or punish him because of his race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

He added that Kyari, “if surrendered, will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty, by reason of his race, nationality or political opinions”.

The AGF said having regard to all the circumstances in which the offence was committed, it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him.

Malami said he was also satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought.

He noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.

According to court documents, the charge filed along with the extradition application reads: “Count one: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years;

“Count two: Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

“Count three: Aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting that offence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.”

In the request for Kyari’s extradition, the U.S. Embassy stated: “On April 29, 2021, based on the indictment filed by the grand jury and with the approval of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari.

“The arrest warrant remains valid and executable to apprehend Kyari for the crimes with which he is charged in the indictment.

“Kyari is wanted to stand trial in the United States for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and identity theft.

“Kyari is the subject of an indictment in case Number 2:21-cr-00203 (also referred to as 2:21-MJ-00760 and 2:21-CR-00203-RGK), filed April 29, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.”

The embattled “super-cop” has challenged the order made on February 22 by Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abuja empowering NDLEA to detain him for 14 days in the first instance.

In an application filed by his lawyers, Kyari wants the court to set aside the order for his detention, arguing that the order was issued without him being accorded a fair hearing.

The court has scheduled a hearing in Kyari’s application for March 8.