Nigeria’s Federal Government has granted the request by the US government, for the extradition of embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Kyari, who is facing suspension, is to be extradited over an alleged involvement in a $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by a Abass Ramon-led syndicate.
The approval to extradite Kyari was announced by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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Malami filed the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 under the Extradition Act, following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
The request is “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment,” he said.
Malami, who expressed satisfaction that Abba Kyari’s extradition is not based on political nor a trivial offense, said the request by the US 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”.
Malami also said it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him with regard to all the circumstances in which the offence was committed, adding he was satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought.
He noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.
Daily Report Nigeria can recall that in April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court and demanded for Abba Kyari to stand trial for conspiracy in committing wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
The US Embassy further requested for Kyari’s extradition saying, “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.
“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.”
Kyari was accused of conspiring with a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Nigerian, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi to commit the crime.
The charges against Kyari 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.
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