The Police Service Commission (PSC) has suspended Abba Kyari from office as a deputy commissioner of police and head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Mr Kyari’s suspension is based on the recommendation of Inspector General of Police, Usma Baba. The police chief recommended the suspension as a temporary measure while the police investigate Mr Kyari’s relationship with popular fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly called Hushpuppi.
The highly decorated officer was indicted by a U.S. court as a conspirator in a $1.1 million fraudulent deal against a Qatari businessman.
The PSC in a statement released on Sunday afternoon by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, said Mr Kyari is relieved of all his duties pending the outcome of the investigation in respect of his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States.
The suspension will help the panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference.
The Special Investigation Panel (SIP) is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).
The SIP will undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against Kyari by the United States Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The SIP will obtain detailed representation of Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force leadership on the matter.
The IGP 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 Kyari’s rights and privileges.
Mr Kyari has denied any wrongdoing.
