MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
( BREAKING )
By Frank Oshanugor
The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba has taken the first major step in the alleged involvement of Nigeria’s top-rate crime burster Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari in a scam related bribe allegation by recommending his immediate suspension from the service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari has been in charge of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police.
Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba; a commissioner of police in a statement on Sunday morning said “the IGP in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.”
“The IGP further noted that 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.”
The statement added that the Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Egbunike who is 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).”
The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.”
Meanwhile, the police boss has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations.
It would be recalled that news broke out last Thursday alleging that Kyari was reportedly implicated by Hushpuppi in his statement to the FBI to the effect that the IRT boss took some bribe money from the proceeds of a $1.1million scam to enable him do a hatchet job against one of the fraudsters Kelly Chibuzor Vincent who was having issues with Hushpuppi.
It is very very unfortunate that Kyari has been humbled, never in my wildest imagination believed that this personality could hobnob and fraternize with a man whose source of wealth is questionable – Hushpuppi and to the extent of involving himself in such dishonourable enterprise. It’s going to be a big shame if he can’t defend himself to be absolved of the indictment.
Hope he will get fair judgement