Abba Kyari’s extradition to the United States has been approved by the FG.

The FG authorized the United States of America’s request to extradite suspended Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, for the $1.1 million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon nicknamed Hushpuppi and four others on Thursday.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), revealed the government’s approval when he filed an application for Kyari’s extradition before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 application was filed under the Extradition Act.

According to the AGF, the application was made in response to a request from the US Embassy’s Diplomatic Representative in Abuja.

“For the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment,” the request reads.

The AGF stated that the crime for which Kyari’s surrender is sought is neither political nor minor.

The AGF was also pleased that the request for Kyari’s surrender was made in good faith and in the interest of justice, rather than to harass or punish him because of his race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

“If surrendered, Kyari will not be biased during his trial and will not be punished, jailed, or restricted in his personal liberty due to his ethnicity, nationality, or political beliefs,” he stated.

According to the AGF, surrendering him will not be unjust or burdensome, nor would it be an excessive punishment, given the circumstances of the crime.

Malami further stated that Kyari has been charged with the crime for which his surrender is being sought.

He added that Kyari was not facing any criminal charges in Nigeria for the same offense

Remember that a jury indicted Kyari in April 2021, with the consent of the United States District Court, and asked that he stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.

As a result, the US Embassy requested Kyari’s extradition, stating, “On April 29, 2021, a deputy clerk of the court issued a warrant of arrest for Kyari based on the indictment filed by the grand jury and with the permission of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.”

“The arrest warrant is still valid and can be used to apprehend Kyari for the offences listed in the indictment.”

“In the United States, Kyari is wanted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.

“An indictment against Kyari was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on April 29, 2021, in case number 2:21-cr-00203 (also known as 2:21-MJ-00760 and 2:21-CR-00203-RGK).”

Kyari was accused of committing the crime with Ramon Abbas, called Hushpuppi, a Nigerian living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“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,” the allegations against Kyari read.

“Count two: Conspiracy to launder money in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), which carries a potential sentence of 20 years in prison.”

“Count three: Aggravated identity theft, as well as aiding and abetting that crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), punishable by up to two years in prison.”