Hushpuppi

By Ahmad Ganga

The arrest of Raymond Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, and the FBI’s revelation that indicted DCP Abba Kyari of being an accomplice to Hushpuppi’s fraudulent activities have exposed the naivety of some Nigerians on social media. Perhaps due to ingrained hatred for the incumbent government or the person of Kyari, many people are vindictively calling for Kyari to “surrender” himself to the FBI. However, this agency has no locus standi to carry out an arrest operation on foreign soils without the consent of the host countries.

Assuming the allegations raised by the FBI is true, America has no authority to arrest Kyari since the crime he was alleged to have committed is on Nigeria’s soil —not the US. Unless Nigeria Police Service Commission constitutes a panel to investigate whether the allegations are true or not; and that he’s found guilty before Nigeria’s government takes further action, the American government has no legal right to dictate whether DCP Kyari is guilty. And this requires due process under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — not US or FBI’s laws.

However, DCP Kyari has a fixed location which means he’s not on the run. Moreover, since a court in the US granted the arrest warrant — not Nigeria and Abba Kyari is not an American citizen —which gives him the right to fair hearing according to the laws of this land, it’s absurd to see Nigerians haggling to the bone marrow, saying Kyari is guilty of the allegations raised against his personality —even before Nigeria’s government enquires to know whether it’s true or not. But then Nigerians glorify anything foreign as though the foreign lands’ decision is a divine revelation.

I am not in support of Kyari’s heinous relationship with Hushpuppi, neither do I side with many sadists calling for his head. However, I believe there is more than meets the eye to this revelation. Let Nigeria decides whether DCP Kyari is guilty or not through an impending panel of investigation. At the moment, I can’t entirely agree with anyone saying DCP Kyari is culpable until proven by a grand jury.

Ahmad Ganga is a legislative assistant at the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria. He can be reached via ahmadgangaa@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Nigerian Super Cop, DCP Abba Kyari, has ‘strongly’ refuted the allegations against him that he was involved in a scandal of bribe-taking from Hushpuppi, an infamous Nigerian fraudster currently standing trial in the United States for fraud.

Recall that in a report published on Thursday by Peoples Gazette, an online Nigerian newspaper, Mr Kyari was alleged to have received a bribe from the fraudster to have the latter’s rival arrested.

In the report, the US Justice Department was quoted to have revealed the alleged link between Hushpuppi and the famous police officer.

“Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas [Hushpuppi] allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria.

“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,” the department said in a statement.

However, hours after Peoples Gazette published the story, Mr Kyari took to his Facebook account to vehemently refute the allegations labelled against him.

READ MR. KYARI’S FULL STATEMENT

Friends: Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2years ago that somebody in Nigeria Seriously threatened to kill his Family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s Phone number and pleaded we take action before the Person attacks his family.

We traced and arrested the Suspect and after investigations we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the Suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

Nobody demanded for a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to Save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

Later, he saw some of my Native Clothes and Caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The Native Clothes and Caps (5 sets) were brought to our office and He sent somebody to Collect them in our office.

Nobody demanded any money from Abbas Hushpuppi and nobody collected any money from him. We responded to a distress call he made on threat to his family and released the Suspect when we discovered there was no life threat from the Suspect. This is the true story. Vincent is alive, he can be contacted.

For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious Big Money, They will be disappointed once ALL distress Calls from ALL Nigerians provided they are life-threatening.

For Good Nigerians who appreciate our Service please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false Narratives without any Evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors.

Thank you all and GOD bless Nigeria.