A member of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Austin Braimoh, has said that the Commission would not be bound by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba’s review of the fraud allegetion against DCP Abba Kyari.
‘Super cop’ Abba Kyari was indicted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to have been allegedly involved in a fraud of $1.1 million committed Hushpuppi.
The PSC is saddled with the responsibility of exercising disciplinary control and formulating policies and guidelines for appointment in the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the Commissioner in charge of PSC’s media, the Commission would only consider a formal report of the allegations before taking action.
“The PSC has no position on the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari for now,” he said.
“This is because no formal report is before the Commission on the officer. All we hear are mere allegations from media outlets. No constitutional body works with such.
“A formal report must come to the Commission from somewhere or someone. Besides, we heard that a United States Court either indicted or ordered his arrest.
“It sounds strange to me that a US court could order the arrest of a non-citizen, a Nigerian citizen resident in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with its laws and justice systems. We surely must be guided by our own attorney general, and also guided by our own courts, internal investigations and to trust our justice system. I’m not aware of any petition against the said officer before the Police Service Commission.
“If the IGP has one, we believe that he will do justice to it and forward to us for necessary action at the appropriate stage”.
ALSO READ: Hushpuppi: IGP recommends suspension of ‘super cop’, Abba Kyari
However, the Police spokesman, CP Frank Mba, early Sunday released a statement communicating that “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him.
“The IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
“The recommendation was noted in a statement by the Police Spokesman, CP Frank Uba, in a letter dated July 31 and addressed to the Police Service Commission (PSC).
“The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference. The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID). The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations”.
