How Police authority shielded Abba Kyari -NHRC boss

Edwin Usoboh 

Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has detailed how Abba Kyari, was shielded from facing trial on numerous cases since 2008.

Speaking at a capacity building retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Ojukwu disclosed that all the petitions against DCP Kyari, bordered on human rights violations.

He lamented that despite several invitations extended to Kyari who is currently in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged cocaine deal, the police authorities refused to allow him to appear before the commission.

Ojukwu said he had summoned Kyari, who is also wanted in the United States over his alleged links with international fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, but he was shielded by police authority.

“I summoned Abba Kyari up to eight times, but the authority shielded him. Everytime they will say that he travelled to Lagos, Kaduna or somewhere else,” he said.

“He had so many issues and cases that were brought against him, pending before the Commission.

“Since 2008 to 2009, we have been summoning this officer because he had so many petitions against him. But he was celebrated as a super cop.

“Thank goodness that God has used another way to bring him into account,” Ojukwu added.

Ojukwu encouraged those that occupy positions of authority, including the federal lawmakers, to be mindful of their conduct, saying “the days of impunity are gone”.

“If you do anything while in power, you will definitely answer for it no matter how many years it takes,” Ojukwu stated.

Kyari is facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, are four members of the IRT, Ubua, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.

Two other suspects arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were also listed as defendants.

Kyari, has been indicted in the United States for alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by a notorious Internet scammer, Ramon Abass, a.ka. Hushpuppi was suspended by the police last July.