By Ismail Auwal
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN)has finally consented to the National Drug Enforcement Agency’s request to confiscate the assets of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
The former Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, and his alleged accomplices may lose their assets, cash, and money in bank accounts, vehicles, real estate, notably hotels, residential and commercial buildings; personal effects such as wristwatches, jewelry, and other valuable possessions.
Last week, an estimated N4.2 billion was traced to the bank accounts of Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua.
A senior justice ministry official said, “The AGF has endorsed the request by the NDLEA seeking approval for the confiscation of the assets of Abba Kyari, Ubua, and the other police officers involved in drug dealing.
“With the approval, the drug agency can now go after their property such as real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks, bonds and anything of monetary value.”
The source further said the seizure of the embattled DCP and his co-accused assets was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had confirmed that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen, noting that this was standard practice.
Kyari, who is wanted in the United States for alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by a notorious Internet scammer, Ramon Abass, aka Hushpuppi, was suspended by the police last July.
The NDLEA on March 7, charged Kyari, Ubua, and four members of the IRT, Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, with conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, among other charges, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Two other suspects arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were also listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022.
