Abba Kyari faces dismissal from the Nigerian Police

The Police Service Commission has said it will determine the fate of the Commander of the IGP  Intelligence Response and Monitoring Team, Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police, indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in a $1.1m Internet fraud.

The commission also noted that Kyari might face dismissal or demotion, and criminal prosecution if found culpable in the fraud perpetrated by an Instagram influencer and fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal complaint lodged at the United States District Court in California had listed Hushpuppi and Kyari among six suspects indicted in the international fraud conspiracy.

The other suspects include AbdulRahman  Juma (Abdul); Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka (Bolamide).

Kyari, who is popularly known as ‘super cop,’ had received rapid promotions and a commendation from the National Assembly for his exploits in crime fighting.

The newly unsealed federal grand jury indictment details a scheme whereby Hushpuppi and his accomplices allegedly faked the financing of a Qatari school by playing the roles of bank officials.

Kyari was alleged to have taken money from Hushpuppi as payment for arranging for one of his accomplices to be locked up in Nigeria after a dispute among the conspirators.

In his Facebook post, Kyari denied taking money from Hushpuppi and gave a different account of his dealings with the fraudster.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said an arrest warrant against Kyari had been issued in the United States. He declined to comment on whether U.S. authorities would seek his extradition from Nigeria.