The Federal Government has approved the request by the United States of America to extradite suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP Abba Kyari to face charges over the $1.1million wire fraud involving Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, and four others.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, filed an extradition application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy.
The application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act.
According to the Minister of Justice, the request from the U.S. authorities is “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment.”
The AGF said that he was satisfied that the offences in respect of which Kyari’s surrender was sought were neither political nor trivial.
The AGF also expressed satisfaction that the request for the surrender of Kyari was not made to persecute or punish him on account of his race, religion, nationality, or political opinions but in good faith and the interest of justice.
He said 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.
According to court documents, the three count-charge marked: 2:21-cr-00203-RGK, was filed on April 29, 2021, before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, USA.
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.”
IGP Receives NPF Special Investigation Panel Report On DCP Abba Kyari
FBI’s Allegation Against DCP Abba Kyari In Huspuppi’s Trial
NDLEA Declare Abba Kyari Wanted For Alleged Involvement In Drug Trafficking
