The Nigeria Police Force has kept mum over the warrant of arrest issued by United States court for a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
In the warrant of arrest dated July 26, 2021, Otis Wright of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to track down Kyari and produce him in the US for his alleged role in a multi-million-dollar fraud perpetrated by Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi; and his co-conspirators.
According to a court document obtained by Peoples Gazette, the judge also ordered that Kyari and five others indicted in the crime should be detained in the US.
They are 28-year-old Abdulrahman Juma from Kenya, and 40-year-old Chibuzo Vincent from Nigeria. Other are Yusuf Anifowoshe, 26; Rukayat Fashola, 28; and Bolatito Agbabiaka, 34.
Earlier reported that the court said Hushpuppi used Kyari to arrest and jail a co-conspirator, Vincent, after the latter threatened to expose a $1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
According to the indictment by the court, Hushpuppi allegedly conspired with five others – including Vincent – to defraud the businessperson (whose name was withheld) by claiming to be consultants and bankers who could facilitate a loan to finance the construction of a school in Qatar.
But Hushpuppi allegedly hunted Vincent after a dispute broke out among the team and after the latter threatened to expose the fraud to the Qatari businessman.
“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” the statement partly read.
However, the leader of the Inspector-General of Police’ Intelligence Response Team, explained in a Facebook post on Thursday that Hushpuppi called his office and reported a death threat from someone about two years ago.
The cop said the suspect, Vincent, was arrested but later released after investigations revealed that “they are long time friends who have money issues between them”.
Kyari also said he did not receive any money from Hushpuppi.
When contacted by The PUNCH at exactly 10:07am on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja, Frank Mba, said he wanted to go through the US document.
Our correspondent immediately sent Mba a link to the US document via WhatsApp but Mba didn’t take his call about one hour later. A text message sent to the FPRO was also not replied to as of the time of filing this report.
Hushpuppi, 37, in a plea agreement document he personally signed, pleaded guilty to the charges including money laundering, wire fraud, felony amongst others.
Hushpuppi is known to have flaunted his luxury lifestyle in private jets with exotic wines and expensive wristwatches. His social media handles were replete with photos of his ostentatious lifestyle before his arrest last year June in Dubai after which he was extradited to the US where he is being prosecuted for money laundering and internet fraud-related charges.
He risks 20 years’ imprisonment and other penalties when convicted.