In an affidavit filed in support of Kyari’s extradition, Malami stated that the crime for which Kyari’s extradition is sought is neither political nor insignificant.
The extradition process for embattled supercop Abba Kyari has begun, with Nigeria approving the US authorities’ request for his extradition.
Kyari was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in a fraud conspiracy involving an Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, and four others last year.
The con artists allegedly planned to defraud a Qatari businessman of more than $1.1 million.
The indictment resulted in Kyari’s suspension and the launch of an internal investigation, amid calls for him to be extradited to the United States.
The famed police officer is now wanted in the United States for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. He is currently on trial in Nigeria for alleged drug trafficking.
Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, recently announced that the Federal Government and the United States Government were discussing the possibility of the embattled police officer’s extradition.
However, on March 2, 2022, Malami filed an application for Kyari’s extradition before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Malami, the application was made in response to a request from the US Embassy’s Diplomatic Representative in Abuja.
According to the AGP, it is “for the surrender of Abba Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment.”
In an affidavit filed in support of the extradition application, Malami stated that he was satisfied that the crime for which Kyari’s extradition was sought was neither political nor trivial.
The AGF further stated that the US request for Kyari’s surrender was made in good faith and in the interest of justice, not to harass or punish him because of his race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.
“If he surrenders, he will not be biased during his trial and will not be punished, jailed, or have his personal liberty restricted because of his race, nationality, or political beliefs,” Malami stated.
He also stated that handing over the embattled police officer to the US government will not be unjust or oppressive, nor will the punishment be excessive given the circumstances of the offense.
The charge filed by US authorities against Kyari, as seen by TheNation, reads as follows.
• Count one: Conspiracy to conduct wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, punishable by up to 20 years in prison;
• Count two: Conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
• Count three: Aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting that offence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), punishable by up to two years in prison.
“On April 29, 2021, based on the indictment submitted by the grand jury and with the permission of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari,” according to the US government’s extradition request.
“The arrest warrant remains valid and executable in order to apprehend Kyari for the crimes charged in the indictment.”
“Kyari is wanted in the United States on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.”
“Kyari is the subject of an indictment in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in case number 2:21-cr-00203 (also known as 2:21-MJ-00760 and 2:21-CR-00203-RGK), filed April 29, 2021.”
Kyari is currently in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s custody (NDLEA).
