The US has requested Mr. Kyari’s extradition from Nigeria in connection with his alleged connection with suspected international fraudster Hushpuppi.
Why that happened
Mr. Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police, is wanted by the US authorities on pending fraud allegations filed against him and others in the Central District of California. Prosecutors in the United States accuse Mr. Kyari of participation in the $1.1 million worldwide scam orchestrated by Abbas Ramon, also known as Hushpuppi.
The Response
On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja declined to accept the federal government’s extradition motion for permission to deport suspended DCP Abba Kyari to the United States (U.S.). In a decision, Justice Inyang Ekwo called the extradition request “an abuse of court procedure,” citing Mr. Kyari’s ongoing criminal trial in another court.
The federal government had filed the extradition suit through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), asking the court to approve the plea for Mr Kyari to face a criminal accusation levelled against him by the US government.
What you should know
The suspended DCP is also facing a criminal trial on drug-dealing allegations lodged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency against him and others (NDLEA). Hushpuppi is scheduled to be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to fraud and other criminal charges.
The US government requested Mr. Kyari’s extradition earlier this year to face accusations filed against him and other co-defendants in the US last year.