The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba has recommended the immediate suspension of embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari from the Nigeria Police Force pending an ongoing internal investigation involving him.
Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, was indicted by a US Court in California over the alleged involvement in internet fraud of over $1.1million by Ramoni Abba aka Hushpuppi. He allegedly received a bribe from Hushpuppi to arrest and jail a member of his online fraud gang identified as Chibuzo Vincent.
Kyari has since denied the allegation.
In a letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July 2021, the IGP noted the recommendation for suspension of the officer is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
A statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba reads;
”The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him. The IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
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.”