NDLEA charges may stall Abba Kyari’s extradition to US
The attempt by the Federal government to extradite embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, may have hit a brick wall as there are pending charges against him before a Federal High Court by the National drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Kyari has been in NDLEA custody since February 14 for attempting to sell 25kg of cocaine which was seized from some drug dealers. The NDLEA had also accused him of being a drug kingpin.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Salami (SAN) had in a statement by his Media Aide, Umar Gwandu, on Thursday stated that the Nigerian government was willing to extradite Kyari to the United States where he has been indicted for his role in an international fraud involving notorious scammer, Ramon Abbas aka Ray Hushpuppi.
Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria said that the extradition of Kyari could be deterred following the official charges filed against him by the NDLEA.
The senior advocates added that the suspended DCP, if found guilty in Nigeria would have to serve his term before being allowed to leave the country for the US to answer for his crimes.
The Nigerian Police Force had begun the formal process of dismissing Kyari from the Force. This comes barely a month after the police recommended that Kyari be demoted by rank for his alleged links to Hushpuppi.
A query was sent by the police to Kyari and others in NDLEA detention. Recommendations are expected to be forwarded to the Police Service Commission soon after.
“A query was issued to Kyari and others by the police earlier in the week. This is part of the formal process for his eventual dismissal ahead of his prosecution. The Police Service Commission is expected to endorse the report by the police and dismiss him from the Force. Serving Policemen cannot be arraigned.
