Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba has recommended that the deputy commissioner of police Abba Kyari be suspended immediately from the Nigeria Police Force.
Force spokesman Frank Mba in a statement on Sunday quoted the IGP as making the recommendation in a letter to the Police Service Commission dated July 31, 2021, noting that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer was in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
The Police Force is conducting an internal probe on Kyari’s indictment for alleged involvement in a $1.1m internet fraud by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Kyari was cited in a document released last Wednesday by the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, relating to suspected internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, currently standing trial for alleged fraud in America.
The IGP in the statement said Kyari’s suspension was expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against him without interference.
“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“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.
“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.
“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,” the statement read.
