7th February, 2022
Attorney General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami said a prima facie case has been established against deputy commissioner of police Abba Kyari, who was indicted in a U.S. court.
It was in connection with a fraud case involving Ramon Abbas Olorunwa a.k.a Hushpuppi.
“The position now is that there are prima facie grounds – reasonable grounds for suspicion that have been considered from the perspective of prosecution, from the perspective of likely extradition if the need for so doing arises; that is what is unfolding in terms of international collaboration”, Malami told Channels TV on Monday night.
The justice minister spoke on some of the actions his ministry is taking quietly regarding the damning allegations against Kyari as revealed in FBI filings in a California court.
Malami said Nigeria is collaborating with the United States government to ensure justice is served.
“It is an issue that has both national and international dimensions and in respect of the two, actions are being taken; it is a work in progress locally and internationally and we are doing whatever it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of the law, regardless of the personalities involved.”
Hushpuppi according to court papers was said to have swindled a Qatari businessman of $1.1 million.
Part of the money was allegedly given to Kyari as compensation to punish a partner of Hushpuppi, who was trying to disrupt the scam.
Five people, apart from Kyari, were indicted for various roles in the scam.
Three of the defendants – Rukayat Fashola (aka Morayo), Bolatito Agbabiaka (aka Bolamide), and Yusuf Anifowoshe (aka AJ and Alvin Johnson) were arrested in the United States.
Their trial has been scheduled for May 2022.
Other defendants such as Kyari, Abdulrahman Juma, and Kelly Chibuzo Vincent “remain at large”.
Judgment in Hushpuppi’s trial initially billed for 14 February has been reportedly postponed till July.
Excerpt from the interview with Malami as provided by Channels TV: What about the case of Hushpuppi, any update on that?
It is an issue that has both national and international dimensions and in respect of the two, actions are being taken; it is a work in progress locally and internationally and we are doing whatever it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of the law, regardless of the personalities involved.
We are hearing and seeing results on the side of America, why are we not seeing much on Nigeria’s side?
Issues that have to do with criminality and enforcement of laws associated with crimes and offences may have local and international coloration. But then, in the case of Hushpuppi, multiple jurisdictions are involved – the United Arab Emirates (UAE), America, and indeed, Nigeria.
Within the context of the international comity of nations as it relates to the prosecution of cases, the international community is indeed collaborating and providing the necessary support for the purpose of ensuring that justice is done to the case with the peculiarities of the matter taken into consideration. So, what I am saying in essence is that internationally and locally, all hands are on deck.
When criminality is involved, Nigeria and the U.S. naturally work together. So, Nigeria is, indeed, doing the needful by way of supporting what America is doing for the purpose of ensuring that the cases are tried accordingly within the context of the American aspect of it, and then eventually if there is need for local prosecution, nothing as well stops it. So, what I am saying in essence (is that) it is about international collaboration, and we are seeing the result of the international collaboration in ensuring that those that are alleged to have in one way or the other been operating in abuse of the provision of the law are now brought to justice. So, there is nothing concrete on Hushpuppi for now?
There are lots of concrete (progress) in terms of joint investigation and in terms of considering the outcome. As far as investigation is concerned, where we are now, it is about collaboration.
So, there is not prosecution happening in Nigeria yet?
Not immediately yet.
What About Abba Kyari, the police officer linked to the matter?
Generally speaking, it is about international collaboration. We are collaborating, we are working, and it is work in progress.
But the Abba Kyari matter is not about collaboration, it is about the investigation that was instituted on Nigerian soil within the police and your office? But there are components of it; it is of international dimension.
What is the outcome of the investigation from the Nigerian side?
There are a lot of issues that are ongoing, inclusive of the possibility of consideration for extradition and associated things; that is why the collaboration element of it comes into play in respect of all the two cases.
So, there is a possibility of extradition?
There could be a need, or perhaps the possibility of making such a request and they are looking into it.
Was there a request for extradition?
Well, as far as I am concerned, the parties are discussing, the parties are collaborating, and there are exchange of correspondence from the perspective of investigation, from the perspective of extradition, and associated things. Was the police officer found guilty from the investigation?
You cannot find someone guilty but perhaps, the reasonable ground for suspicion can be established and will translate to prosecution that will eventually translate to it (being found guilty) … Reasonable ground for suspicion has been established and that will eventually translate to the possibility of prosecution and eventual conviction if, indeed, at the end of the day one is adjudged guilty by a court of law.
So, what is the position now?
The position now is that there are prima facie grounds – reasonable grounds for suspicion that have been considered from the perspective of prosecution, from the perspective of likely extradition if the need for so doing arises; that is what is unfolding in terms of international collaboration.