$1M Fraud: FG Approves Abba Kyari's Extradition To US

The Federal Government has approved the extradition request by the United States of America, for suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, to be prosecuted over the $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi and four others. 

 The government’s approval was made known by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami through a press statement issued by the AGF's special assistant on media and publicity, Umar Gwandu. 

The AGF said he was satisfied that the offence in respect of Kyari’s surrender is not political and 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. 

 Malami said he was also satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought and there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.

In April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court and demanded that Kyari stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. 

Consequently, the US Embassy requested Kyari’s extradition 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 on April 29, 2021. 

Kyari had taken to Facebook on July 29, 2021, to deny the allegations, but he later deleted the post after editing it about 12 times. 

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had recommended the suspension of Kyari, which the Police Service Commission carried out on July 31, 2021. The police boss had on August 2, 2021, constituted the Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations. 

The findings of the probe panel were transmitted to the AGF office which is responsible for matters regarding extradition, repatriation and transfer of suspects or wanted persons. 

On Thursday, the AGF said the offence in respect of which Kyari’s extradition was requested “is not political nor is it trivial”. “if surrendered, (Kyari) 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,” part of the application read. 

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 US charges against Kyari read, "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."