The Federal Government approved the United States of America's request to extradite suspended Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, for the $1.1 million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi and four others on Thursday, March 3.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), revealed the approval to Vanguard when he filed an application for Kyari's extradition before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Extradition Act was used to file the application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022.
According to the AGF, the application was made in response to a request from the US Embassy in Abuja's Diplomatic Representative. "Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three-count indictment," the request reads.
The AGF stated that the crime for which Kyari's surrender is being sought is neither political nor minor. The AGF was also pleased that the request for Kyari's surrender was made in good faith and in the interests of justice, rather than to persecute or punish him because of his race, religion, nationality, or political views.
Kyari, he said, "will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained, or restricted in his personal liberty because of his race, nationality, or political opinions if he surrenders."
According to the AGF, surrendering him will not be unjust or oppressive, nor will it be an excessive punishment, given the circumstances of the crime. Malami added that he was also satisfied that Kyari had been charged with the crime for which he was wanted.
He also pointed out that Kyari was not facing any criminal charges in Nigeria for the same offence.
Remember that in April 2021, a jury indicted Kyari for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, with the approval of the United States District Court.
As a result, the US Embassy requested Kyari's extradition, stating, "On April 29, 2021, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari based on the grand jury indictment filed by the grand jury and with the approval of the United States District Court for the Central District of California."
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 committing the crime with Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, a Nigerian living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The charges against Kyari were as follows;
“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.''
