NDLEA’s Charges Is An Attempt To Shield Kyari From Extradition To US – Adegboruwa

Nigerian lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has condemned the fresh charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari.

Recall that the NDLEA slammed an eight-count criminal charge on the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police over his involvement in drug trafficking.

The anti-narcotics agency filed the criminal charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 against the embattled police officer and six other suspects before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday.

Kyari and the four other police officers were accused by the NDLEA of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.

DCP Kyari and the IRT members were alleged to have also unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of Cocaine.

The NDLEA accused the suspected drug traffickers of conspiring with others at large, to import 21.35kg of Cocaine into the country.

Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had said 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 Ramon Abbas aka Ray Hushpuppi.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Adegboruwa claimed that the fresh charges by the NDLEA were part of a plot to shield the suspended DCP from extradition to the US.

The Senior Advocate opined that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba had earlier shown that he doesn’t want to probe Kyari over the allegations levelled against him.

Adegboruwa claimed that as long as Kyari is facing charges in Nigeria, he cannot be extradited to the United States.

He said: “There is a belief that the charges filed are a purported conspiracy theory to shield Abba Kyari from extradition. The Inspector-General of Police was reluctant in investigating the cases of corruption Kyari was embellished in.

“What we see from the AGF is just part of the widely believed theory. And of course, the fresh charges will prevent him from being extradited. You cannot be extradited when you are answering to fresh charges.”