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FG working with US to extradite DCP Kyari, says AGF Malami
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said a prima facie case had been established against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari over allegations levelled against him by the United States government in the fraud case involving an internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly called Hushpuppi.
The AG said the FG was working with the relevant US agencies “on possible extraction” of the embattled police cop to America to face trial.
In July 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had revealed how Kyari allegedly collaborated with Hushpuppi, a self-confessed international fraudster, to jail one of the latter’s associates, “after a dispute over a $1.1 million scam on Qatari business people”.
The suspended police officer had, however, denied the allegation.
In August 2021, Usman Baba, inspector-general of police, received the report of a panel set up to probe the bribery allegation against Kyari.
Malami, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television, noted that multiple jurisdictions were involved in the matter, including the United Arab Emirates, America, and Nigeria. He added that though investigations were still on-going, the possibility of extraditing the officer was high.
The attorney general also claimed that the number of convictions the administration had so far secured in the fight against corruption clearly established that a recent report by Transparency International had no basis.
Malami said, “There are lots of considerations that are ongoing, including the possibility of extradition and that is why the collaboration element comes in. There could be a need for extradition.
“As far as I am concerned, parties are discussing; we are collaborating and there are exchanges of correspondence. Reasonable ground of suspicion has been established and that will eventually translate into prosecution and eventual conviction.
“The position now is that there are prima facie grounds, reasonable grounds for suspicion have been considered from the perspective of prosecution, from the perspective of extradition if the need for it arises.”
Malami rejected the Corruption Perceptions Index 2021, which ranked Nigeria 154 out of 180 countries and territories.
He said before the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Nigeria had only about 103 convictions in corruption cases between 2013 and 2014.
He said the number had moved to 2,000 convictions in 2021 alone in cases brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Malami said, “Today, as of the end of 2021, EFCC has recorded over 2,000 convictions. So, if you are talking of the year in, year out empirical evidence as it relates to the performance of our institutions, one single institution (EFCC) has established the point that there is no basis by which Transparency International report can stand.
“When you juxtapose the report of the Transparency International with that of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is more universal and are the best for assessment.
“As far as we are concerned, when you are talking of Transparency International compared with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), then, the answer as far as we are concerned is UNDOC stands clear.
“The fact that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended and rated as the champion of anti-corruption established a point that there is no basis, no foundation, no justifiable ground and, indeed, to the standing platform upon which Transparency International could stand. We have been acknowledged to be doing very well by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).”
The minister insisted that the fight against corruption could only be assessed by the number of prosecutions and convictions, saying the fact that EFCC could records, over 2,000 convictions within a year showed that the present administration has done well in the fight against corruption.
Malami also dwelt on the alleged delay in the prosecution of high profile cases, saying, “As far as the present administration is concerned, delay of cases does not arise. If you are looking at it from the perspective of the legislative framework, we are enforcing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, as in day-in-day-out prosecution of cases.”
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25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
Operatives of the Kano Police Command on Saturday said it has arrested a 25-year-old man, Abubakar Musa for allegedly kidnapping a 2-year-old boy, Al’amin Ahmad Garba.
It was gathered that the suspect kidnapped his victim, took him to an unknown destination and demanded for a ransom of N50 million for the victim’s release.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna said the suspect was arrested after a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation led to the victim’s rescue after 3 days in captivity.
According to SP Haruna, “The Kano State Police Command has successfully arrested a 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Musa, from Rijiyar Lemo Quarters, Kano. The suspect was apprehended for kidnapping a two-year-old child, Al’amin Ahmad Garba, and demanding a ransom of fifty million naira (N50,000,000) for the victim’s release.
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“The suspect was arrested on December 25, 2024, following a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation. The victim was rescued from a house in Unguwar Liman, Dorayi Quarters, Kano, where he was hidden for three days.
“The rescued victim was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital Kano, treated, and discharged. He has since been reunited with his family.
“The suspect was charged to Magistrate Court Number 25 Nomansland Kano on January 3, 2025, and is currently remanded.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Salman Dogo Garba, assures the public that the Command will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all residents in Kano State.
“The Kano State Police Command encourages members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing useful information that can lead to the arrest of criminals. In case of emergencies or to report any suspicious activity, contact the Kano State Police Command on the phone numbers,” SP Haruna however stated.
25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
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Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
There was a peaceful protest in Okeigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Locàl Government area to push for a stop to an alleged plot by the Ondo state government to install a traditional ruler from the Aare Kugbayigbe ruling house.
The protesters said it was the turn of the Kuole Oloje Ruling House to produce the next Oluoke of Okeigbo.
Okeigbo has been without a king since 2023 when Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide died.
The protest was in support of the Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council and kingmakers appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to allow the rule of law to prevail in Okeigbo to avoid anything that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the kingdom.
Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers at a press briefing in Okeigbo, Chief Dele Odunwole, the Ojomu Okeigbo, said a stay of execution has been filed against the lower court judgment which sacked late Oba Babajide.
The Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to allow the case in the Appeal Court to be determined before embarking on any other action about the vacant stool.
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They said the Kuole Oloje Ruling House was the next to produce the next candidate for the vacant stool in line with the Oluoke chieftaincy declaration as contained in the Adeloye Chieftaincy Commission’s report.
“We, the Chiefs-In-Council, especially the kingmakers, are people of integrity and law-abiding citizens who would not do anything that could let the community and Ondo State at large down.
“We plead with all our sons and daughters of Okeigbo, within and outside, to please maintain peace at this trial time. All the problems of today will soon be over.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Elder Ebenezer Oniwiede, said the community does not want trouble but peace.
He called for swift action to ensure peace and justice in the community.
“It is the turn of Kuole Oloje to produce the king for Okeigbo. Others have had their turn and should step aside under tradition. In the history of Okeigbo land, two Obas from the same ruling house have never been buried in the palace. This must not change now.
Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
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You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
President Bola Tinubu has praised former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, for his decisive role in frustrating the infamous third-term agenda.
This is seen as taking a jab at former President Olusegun Obasanjo believed as being behind the third-term agenda.
Though Tinubu never directly named Obasanjo, the insinuation was clear. Obasanjo, who reported to be the mastermind of the controversial attempt to amend the constitution and secure a third term in office, faced a rebuke from President Tinubu during his visit to Enugu.
Acknowledging Nnamani’s pivotal role, Tinubu stated that Nnamani and his colleagues’ intervention saved Nigeria’s democracy from those who sought to derail it with the third-term agenda.
The meeting in Enugu on Saturday was part of Tinubu’s official visit, where he met with South East leaders to discuss critical issues concerning the region’s development.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the Eastern Rail line, connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
Tinubu expressed firm support for the development of the Anambra Basin, an area believed to hold substantial energy reserves, including an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.
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This move, he said, would drive Nigeria’s energy future forward.
You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
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