Hushpuppi: Police Commission Suspends DCP Abba Kyari

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has suspended decorated officer, DCP Abba Kyari from the Nigeria Police Force.

Naija News reports that the suspension of Kyari from the Force followed a letter written by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali, dated 31st July 2021 to the commission.

The police boss had recommended Kyari’s suspension to allow for an independent investigation of the allegations against the officer following US court documents linking him to an alleged fraudster, Ramon Abbas popularly known as Hushpuppi.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the IGP noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Nigeria police.

The IGP 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 police boss added that the suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.

In a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the police service commission said Kyari’s suspension took effect from Saturday.

It added that Kyari’s suspension would continue pending the outcome of the investigation in respect of his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The statement reads: “Abba Kyari’s suspension took effect from Saturday, July 31st 2021 and would subsist pending the outcome of the investigation in respect of his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States.

“The commission has also directed the Inspector General of Police to furnish it with information on further development on the matter for necessary further action.

“The Commission’s decision which was conveyed in a letter with reference, PSC/POL/D/153/vol/V/138 to the Inspector General of Police today, Sunday, August 1st, 2021, was signed by Hon. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner 1 in the Commission for the Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police who is currently on leave.”