PSC Orders Fresh Probe Into Kyari’s Link To Hushpuppi

The Police Service Commission on Wednesday ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to investigate the link between suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari and internet fraudster, Abba Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The commission directed the IGP to submit the report of the fresh probe in two weeks time for the PSC Standing Committee on Discipline to review.

The decision was reached following the advice of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Recall that a panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, had earlier investigated Kyari.

Kyari had been suspended in July 2021 for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020, an allegation Kyari denied.

It was gathered that the AGF on Wednesday stated that the evidence submitted was not enough to convict Kyari.

A senior official, who spoke with Punch on condition of anonymity said, “The advice from the AGF is that the case needs further investigation; that the evidence produced on Abba Kyari was not enough to convict him despite the fact that they have established a prima facie case against him. But the facts cannot convict him in the court of law.

“So, the police report was returned and the IG was asked to set up a special panel to look at the case. We have given them just a short period of two weeks to turn in their report.

“The final report is expected to return to the standing committee which will review and send recommendations to the plenary where the final decision on Kyari will be taken.”

Meanwhile, Hushpuppi will be sentenced on February 14, 2022, the US attorney’s office at the Central District of California has said.

According to BBC Pidgin, the court’s spokesperson, Thom Mrozek said Hushpuppi has been scheduled for sentencing on Valentine’s Day.