Abubakar Malami leads the way as police authorities come under pressure to clear Kyari

NIGERIAN police authorities have come under immense pressure from top government officials to clear suspended commander Abba Kyari currently under investigations over his relationship with international fraudster Ramon Abbas popularly known as Hushpuppi.

On July 28 this year, Assistant Police Commissioner Kyari was indicted in court documents released by the United States Department of Justice, in which he was said to have been bribed by Hushpuppi to arrest one Kelly Chibuzor Vincent, 40, in Nigeria. Apparently, Mr Kyari, the commander of the inspector-general of police's Intelligence Response Team, used his position create fictitious evidence against Mr Vincent.

Following the US indictment, Nigeria's Police Service Commission (PSC) suspended Mr Kyari from office. On August 26, Usman Baba, Nigeria's inspector-general of police, received the report of the panel set up to probe the bribery allegations against Mr Kyari but so far, has not acted on it.

According to insider sources, the police authorities have come under immense pressure from top government officials, monarchs and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to clear Mr Kyari. This is despite the fact that documents tendered in a US court allege that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 as a bribe into a bank account provided by Mr Kyari.

Apparently, according to the police panel chaired by Deputy Inspector General of Police Joseph Egbunike, there were infractions on the part of Mr Kyari in his communications with Hushpuppi. it is believed that one of the recommendations made by the panel is that Mr Kyari be demoted.

One source said: “Police authorities are being pressured to clear Kyari. Those campaigning for him claim he is the only one who can find a solution to the insecurity in southeast."

Abubakar Malami, Nigeria's justice minister, is believed to be among those fighting to get Mr Kyari cleared. Already, a political pressure group, Concerned Advocates For Good Governance (CAGC), recently said it had consulted several US-based law firms to defend Mr Kyari in court.

CAGC president Olusegun Bamgbose, said: “We have diligently consulted with about three notable law firms in the United States to give us their legal opinions on what can be done to formidably defend Abba Kyari. One of the leading firms has replied to us and gone ahead to send us the indictment against Abba Kyari and other details which is about 26 pages.

“This reputable law firm, well-grounded on extradition issues, has assured us of their readiness to represent Kyari’s interest before and after his possible extradition to the US.” All actors are now waiting for Mr Baba's decision on the matter.