Human rights Lawyer and legal Luminary, Inibehe Effiong has called on the Nigerian Government to ensure that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA does not file charges against disgraced Police officer, Abba Kyari.
Kyari is currently in the custody of the NDLEA after attempting to bribe an official of the agency with $61,000 to facilitate the release of seized Cocaine. Prior to this, he was on suspension after the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI indicted him for being part of a multi-million dollar fraud spearheaded by Ramon Olorunwa Abass a.k.a Hushpuppi.
In a statement on Thursday, while reacting to the Government’s approval for Kyari’s extradition to the United States, Effiong disclosed;
“The extradition application filed by the Attorney General of the Federation for Abba Kyari to be extradited to the US is a welcome development. Now that the FG has taken this step, NDLEA has to stay action on the drug related charges against Kyari.”
“That’s the implication. Investigation by the NDLEA can continue while the extradition application is litigated. But it will be counter productive for the NDLEA to proceed to file charges against Kyari during the pendency of the extradition application.”
“That will make nonsense of the entire process. Section 3 of the Extradition Act makes it imperative for the prosecution of Kyari on the drug charges be put on hold.”
“This is because by the said provision, extradition application will be refused by the court if the wanted fugitive is undergoing prosecution for another crime. If Abubakar Malami, SAN is serious and honest about extraditing Kyari, he should ensure that the NDLEA does not file charges against Kyari at this time. Otherwise, it will vindicate those who have asserted that the drug allegations may just be a disguise attempt to shield Kyari.”
