The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Thursday, received the report of the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP) investigating the alleged indictment of the erstwhile Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The report was submitted by the Chairman of the SIP, DIG Joseph Egbunike, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Presenting the report, DIG Egbunike, appreciated the IGP for the confidence reposed on him and the members of the Panel to conduct the probe.
He noted that the Panel commenced investigations immediately it was inaugurated on 2nd August, 2021 and the report submitted is an outcome of a painstaking, transparent and exhaustive investigative process.
“The report presented contained the case file of the probe, evidences and findings as well as testimonies from DCP Abba Kyari and other persons and groups linked to the matter,” he said.
IGP Baba, who commended the Panel for the work done, stated that the essence of the probe was to carry out discrete investigations into the allegation leveled against the officer to enable the force leadership be appropriately guided in its decision-making processes.
The IGP assured that a careful and expeditious review of the recommendations would be undertaken by the Force Management Team and thereafter forwarded to appropriate quarters for necessary action, restating the commitment of the force to justice for all.
But in a reaction to the development, a pressure group, the Nigerian Consultative Forum (NCF), has condemned in a very strongest term the alleged media trial of former boss of Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari.
According to the forum, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, it was unfair the way Nigerians threw caution to the wind in the trial and conviction of Kyari on both social media and mainstream media.
In the statement signed by the group’s National Secretary, Udemadu Chika Udemadu, they queried the jurisdiction of the American Court to demand the extradition of Kyari, a citizen of another country.
He also queried the rationale to allow a Nigerian citizen to be extradited and tried in America, while an American citizen cannot be tried in another country’s court including Nigeria.
The group said; “Nigeria should not be intimidated by these strong nations.
“The treaty should be reviewed if at all it existed.
“Nigerian citizens should not be handed over to the American authority on any allegation, when their own citizens cannot be tried here by Nigerian authorities.
“The Federal Government should protect its citizens especially those who are being prosecuted on a political reasons”.
The group advised the Federal Government in crucifying Abba Kyari, to take into consideration, his avowed determination to eradicate high profile crime in the country.
According to the group, the Police Officer has professionally burst high profile armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom among other criminal cases such as the Wadume case in Taraba State, Evans in Lagos and many other high profile criminal activities including the Kwara State Bank robbery.
Calling for the trial of Abba Kyari in Nigeria, the group asked the Nigerian authorities to painstakingly look at the report of the Investigation Committee.
“Without prejudice to the work of the Committee,” NCF said, “the report of the panel should be unbiased, instead of trying to tilt to the whims and caprices of the US Government.
“If found guilty, let him be dealt with in accordance with the law, but if not he should be set free.”
