The Federal Government of Nigeria ha on Thursday announced the approval of the request by the United States of America for suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, to be extradited over his alleged involve in $1.1 million fraud led by Abass Ramon, otherwise known as Hushpuppi and 4 other member syndicate.
The Attorney-General of the
Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) announced this on
Thursday morning while filling an application for Kyari`s extradition before
the Chief Jude of the Federal High Court, Abuja
While filling the application
marked FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act, the Minister
said the application was in response to a formal request by the Diplomatic
Representative of the US Embassy in Abuja.
The request is “for the surrender
of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts
indictment”
He stressed that Abba Kyari`s surrender was
never on account of his tribe, religion, nationality or political opinion and “will
not be prejudiced at his trial.”
“The request is for the surrender
of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts
indictment.
“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 said he was satisfied that the offence
in respect of which Kyari’s surrender is not political nor is it trivial, and
that there was no criminal proceeding instituted against Abba Kyari on same
offence in Nigeria.
“Having regard to all the
circumstances in which the offence was committed, it will not be unjust or
oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him.”
Abba Kyari was in April 2021
indicted by Us District Court Jury and demanded for Kyari`s arrest and
detention for his involvement in a wire fraud, money laundering.
The US Embassy in formal application
requesting 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.”
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.