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Hushpuppi: Police Begin Kyari Probe

THE Police have begun probe of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abba Kyari, for his alleged  involvement in internet fraud perpetuated by  Rahman Abba (aka Hushpuppi).

The commencement of the investigation followed  the Police Service Commission’s (PSC )  approval of a four-man special committee set up by  Inspector-General of Police  Usman Alkali to review the allegations against Kyari by the United States  Government.

PSC also approved Alkali’s recommendation for the suspension of the DCP pending the outcome of the probe. The suspension commenced on Saturday.

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Kyari, who heads  the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force, has since denied any involvement in the fraud  as contained in documents presented to  a U.S court by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The  IGP had in  a letter to the PSC dated July 31, explained that his request for Kyari’s suspension   was  is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the NPF.

The letter partly reads: “The suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference.

“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.”

Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba  said the four-member panel  probing the suspended officer is  headed by  Deputy Inspector-General of Police Joseph Egbunike.

He however, did not give the names of the three other SIP members  in his statement.

Mba’s statement reads:   ”The  SIP,  comprising four senior police officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).

“The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the FBI.

“The SIP is also to obtain a detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations leveled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.”

The IGP, said Mba, reaffirmed the commitment of the NPF  to the rule of law and absolute respect for the rights and privileges of Kyari throughout the period of the investigations.

“The PSC  however,  directed the IGP yesterday  to furnish it with information on further development on the matter for necessary action.

“The commission’s decision  was conveyed in a letter with reference, PSC/POL/D/153/vol/V/138 to the IGP  today (Sunday, August 1),”  was signed by the commission’s  Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, and Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a  Justice of the Supreme Court and PSC Commissioner.”

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