Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has approved a request by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for the confiscation of DCP Abba Kyari and his accomplices’ accounts and properties.
Gatekeepers News reports that Malami has approved the seizure of the former Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team and his accomplices’ assets, cash and money in bank accounts; vehicles; real estate, notably hotels, residential and commercial buildings; personal effects such as wristwatches, jewellery, and other valuable possessions.
It was reported last week that about N4.2bn was traced to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.
On March 7, Gatekeepers News reported that the anti-narcotics agency arraigned Kyari, Ubua and four members of the IRT, Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu, on eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences before the Federal High Court, 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.
A senior officer in the Ministry of Justice 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 noted that the confiscation of the assets of embattled DCP and his co-accused was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.
The NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, earlier confirmed that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen, adding that this was standard practice.
Meanwhile, the Otis Wright of the United States District Court for the Central District of California has ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to track down Kyari.
Kyari is wanted for alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by a notorious Internet scammer, Ramon Abass, aka Hushpuppi, which led to his suspension by the police last July.
