By Akinwale Kasali
Former All Progressives Congress, APC, National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire, SAN, has expressed his disappointment over the indictment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
Kyari was indicted over his alleged involvement in a $1.1 million bribe given to him by international cybercrime fraudster, Ramon Igbalode, known as Hushpuppi. The bribe was, allegedly given to influence Kyari arrest and detention of a fraud associate of Huspuppi’s Chibuzor Kelly Vincent who Hushpuppi told Kyari betrayed him in one of their fraudulent businesses.
On the recommendation of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Police Service Commission has suspended Kyari from work. An investigation panel has also been set up to investigate the damning allegations against Kyari.
Speaking on Channels Television, Banire described the indictment of Kyari, in the case of international fraud, as a dent on the image of the country.
The former Lagos State Commissioner said the sad incident has reduced Nigeria to a laughing stock among the Comity of Nations.
“It is disheartening for a top Cop to be indicted for fraud. It is disgraceful and a shameful act”, he said.
Kyari’s suspension took effect from July 31 and would subsist pending the outcome of the investigation in respect to his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States.
According to documents unsealed last week in the US, Kyari had arrested and jailed one Chibuzo Vincent, at the behest of Hushpuppi.
He also allegedly sent Hushpuppi bank account details to deposit money for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.
