Extradition: Kyari to file more evidence against FG

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP, Abba Kyari’s request to file more evidence against a suit by the federal government seeking to extradite him to United States of America for trial in criminal charges.

Arguing the motion on notice, counsel to Kyari, Nureni Jimoh prayed the court to allow the defendant bring additional documentary exhibits to establish his innocence in the charges against him.

Responding, the prosecution counsel, Pius Akuta, opposed the request, hence, positioned that it was an attempt to cure deficiencies in the earlier documentary evidence adduced by the detained DCP Kyari.

In a bench ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo alligned with the defendant and granted his request to adduce further documentary exhibits to his own defense.

According to Justice Ekwo, the court would have ample opportunity to determine the probate value to be attached to the additional evidence.

Earlier in the proceeding, Justice Ekwo has fixed June 3 for definite hearing in the extradition suit instituted by the Attorney General of the Federation AGF on behalf of the federal government against Kyari’.

The suit is seeking to extradite Kyari at the request of the American government to face trial in his indictment in an alleged internet fraud by a Nigerian , Abdulraman Abbas also known as Hushpoppi.

The Federal Government had sought Kyari’s extradition to the United States (U.S) to answer a case over his alleged link with a fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

The Federal Government, through the Office of the AGF, had filed the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022.

The suit, titled: “Application for the Extradition of Abba Kyari to the U.S.,” was dated and filed on March 2.

While the AGF is the applicant, Kyari is the respondent in the application.

Kyari was formerly the head of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The application was filed under the Extradition Act, as part of the Nigerian government’s approval of the request by the U. S. for Kyari’s extradition.