The Federal Government, on Thursday, approved the request by the United States of America (USA), for suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, to be extradited over the $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and 4 others.
The approval was made known by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who on Wednesday, filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for Kyaris extradition.
The request is for the surrender of Abba Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment.
The application was filed under the Extradition Act. According to Malami, the application was filed before the court following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
Malami, in the affidavit filed in support of the extradition application, noted that he is satisfied that provision is made by the laws of the U.S. such that so long as Kyari has not had a reasonable opportunity of returning to Nigeria, he will not be detained or tried for any offence committed before his surrender other than the extradition offence which can be proved by the fact on which his surrender is sought.
While expressing satisfaction that the charges leveled against Kyari are not political nor trivial, the AGF also noted that the request for Kyaris extradition 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 noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.
Kyari, a highly decorated DCP was the most celebrated crime-buster in the Nigerian Police Force, leading him to be given the sobriquet of a Supercop for his extraordinary, if not close to legendary, prowess in tracking down and nabbing armed robbers and kidnappers.
However, he was in 2021 indicted as a conspirator in a $1.1m fraud deal involving Instagram celebrity Hushpuppi.
The indictment led to Kyaris suspension and an internal investigation was launched, amid calls for him to be extradited to the US.
Kyari is currently in the detention of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over a crime related to drug trafficking.
