Published 3rd Mar, 2022

By Emmanuel Uti

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday granted the United States of America’s request to extradite Abba Kyari, the suspended commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, over his alleged involvement in $1.1 million wire fraud.

Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, revealed the government’s decision when he applied for Kyari’s extradition before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The application “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three-count indictment” was filed under the Extradition Act and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022.

The AGF said the crime Kyari is accused of is neither political nor minor. “If surrendered, he will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained, or restricted in his personal liberty by reason of his race, nationality, or political opinions,” Malami stated.

According to the AGF, surrendering him will not be unfair or burdensome, nor will it be an excessive penalty, given the circumstances of the crime.

Malami further said that Kyari had been charged with the crime for which his surrender is being sought. He said Kyari was not facing any criminal charges in Nigeria for the same offence.

In April 2021, a jury filed an indictment against Kyari with the approval of the U.S. District Court and demanded that Kyari stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.

The US Embassy requested Kyari’s extradition after a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest.

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