Contrary to speculations, the police authorities have not recalled the erstwhile Commander of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, who has been on suspension since July 31, following his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
There had been reports that Kyari had been secretly recalled by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba. But police sources confirmed that the deputy commissioner of police is still on suspension.
Kyari had been under investigation for allegedly fraternising with a suspected Internet fraudster, Abbas Ramon, commonly known as Hushpuppi.
The FBI alleged that Kyari connived with Hushpuppi to defraud a Qatari businessman of $1.1 million.
While speaking with State House correspondent in Abuja, on Thursday, the IGP said Kyari had been queried, adding that the police were working closely with the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney General of the Federation to discharge the appropriate sanction on Kyari.
He also explained that the panel constituted to investigate the case had submitted its report to the SGF, Boss Mustapha, for vetting and advice on the findings.
According to him, the police had only recently received feedback from the SGF and were contemplating their next step.
The IG said, “I have not received any extradition request formally. But I have read from other places that there was an extradition request. I’ve not seen it and that is one.
“Two, when this issue of Kyari started, we took our own action by constituting a panel to look at the allegations that were made against the senior officer.
“The allegations were based on fraternising with Hushpuppi and even receiving some series of instructions on extrajudicial torture and so on. We looked into all these allegations via the committee that was set up by the DIG and we submitted our report to the SGF on the findings of our investigation.
“We just received the legal advice from the office of the Attorney General on what to do next in terms of asking the officer to account for what we have gathered in the course of our investigation.”
“We just received the legal advice from the office of the Attorney General on what to do next in terms of asking the officer to account for what we have gathered in the course of our investigation.”
The force spokesman, Frank Mba, could not be reached for comment on Saturday.
Source: PUNCH
