- Raises four-man probe panel headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike
- Writes Police Service Commission
By Kingsley Nwezeh
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, has recommended the immediate suspension of Deputy Commisioner of Police and Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Mr. Abba Kyari, over his Indictment by the United States Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI).
He has also set up a four-man Special Investigative Panel (SIP) headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Investigations, DIG, Joseph Egbunike, to investigate all the allegations contained in the in the relevant US court documents served the Nigeria Police by the FBI.
A United States Court had recently ordered the arrest of DCP Kyari. A District Court of California had issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari over his role in a $1 million fraud case involving notorious internet fraudster
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Commisioner of Police, said the IG recommended Kyari’s suspension in a letter to the Police Service Commission (PSC), the agency that handles disciplinary cases of police officers.
It said Kyari would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
It said the probe was in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the force.
“The IGP further 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 suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer”, it said.
The statement titled “FBI Indictment: IGP Recommends Suspension of DCP Abba Kyari”, reads:
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him.
“The IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
“The IGP further 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 suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID). The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations”.
