Court Dismisses Suit To Stop Arrest, Extradition Of Abba Kyari To US
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an ex-parte application for an order restraining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from arresting and extraditing suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari.
The Incorporated Trustees of Northern Peace Foundation had through its team of lawyers led by Dr Olukayode Ajulo argued an ex-parte application before the judge praying him to grant the temporary order of injunction against the two defendants pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.
The ex-parte application dated August 9 2021, was accomplished with a 21 paragraph affidavit of urgency.
The plaintiff is, in the substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/854/2021, querying the propriety of the alleged threat to arrest and extradite Kyari in relation to his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has since suspended Abba Kyari from office and as head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
His suspension followed the recommendation of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, as a temporary measure while the police investigate Kyari’s relationship with suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi.
Kyari was indicted by a U.S. court as a conspirator in a $1.1 million fraudulent deal against a Qatari businessman.
“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” US justice department said in a statement.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling on Thursday, said he was not inclined to granting the relief sought in the ex-parte motion.
Rather, Justice Mohammed ordered the counsel to turn the ex-parte motion to motion on notice and serve same on the Police and AGF.
The Judge also directed the applicant to serve all court processes in respect of the case on the two respondents.
He subsequently fixed September 9 for mention of the case.
