The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations.
The IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference.
The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
The Special Investigation Panel, comprising four Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).
The SIP is also to obtain detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.
Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of the sanctity of the probe as well as the absolute respect for the rights and privileges of the officer throughout the period of the investigations.
For their alleged failure to bring the desired growth and development in Nigeria within the past 20 years, a university don and former Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria ( INEC), Professor Attahiru Muhammad Jega has urged Nigerians not to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) henceforth.
He alleged that the two major political parties were like Siamese twin and it was high time Nigerians look for a credible alternative.
Nigerians should dump the two parties because of their bad antecedents over the last 20 years. Looking at their inability to change the economic fortunes of Nigeria for 20 years now, it is now apparently clear that they would not do anything even if Nigerians vote for any of the two parties again,”he alleged.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna, Jega explained that ” the bad things these parties committed in those past years, Nigerians should never give their trust to the parties again. It is now very clear that these parties would never change, even if they are given another chance.
The APC and PDP have formed governments, we were all witnesses. They did not come with a good intention to make amends. If you look at the fight against corruption, all these corrupt people that were supposed to be prosecuted sneaked into the APC.”
“We are hearing nothing. That is why I’ve since registered with the Peoples Redemption Party( PRP). I am now a PRP member looking for ways to help the Nigeria.”
That is why we believe now is the time to establish a platform where every good Nigerian should join and contribute towards building the nation on the right path,” he said.
He alleged that those in the major political parties have destroyed everything and had made the parties so stigmatized that whichever good person joins the parties would be considered like them.
He said that was why “it has now become imperative to have a new platform where good Nigerians will constitute the membership.”
Jega also alleged that it was lack of good leadership in Nigeria that threw the nation into it current problems, which have led to the series of agitations for the country to be balkanized.
”Since 1979 I’ve been teaching in the university, for 40 years now. So, from what I read and observed, when I was Chairman of INEC, honestly the way I see our politicians conducting elections and from the manner they represent their people when elected, honestly it is something to be afraid of,” he said.
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The APGA Peace /Reconciliation and National Outreach Committee ably led by Senator Dr. Victor Umeh OFR (Ohamadike Ndigbo) on July 31st visited the home of the Party’s Eternal Supreme Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ezeigbo Gburugburu) where they revered his immortality and engaged his wife, Iyom Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu on how best to reconcile the Party and make it more formidable ahead of the November 6th Anambra Governorship Election.
During the Meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Victor Umeh led Members of the Committee to a parade of honor and continued fidelity to APGA, to the Eternal Leadership of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu thereby reminisced his unforgettable efforts cum commitments towards the survival of the Party while he was alive. He extolled Amb. Bianca’s thoughtful dispositions on her husband’s legacies particularly her inclination to Ikemba’s Ideology about the Igbo struggle in Nigeria.
Speaking about the need to advance the political Cause championed by Ojukwu before his departure, Senator Umeh urged Bianca to let-go all wrongs and return to her husband’s political family with her indomitable influence, her enviable clout and dynamism especially as the Party approaches the November 6th Anambra Governorship Election amidst a robust contest.
In his words:
“You are mama APGA,
” You have been away for too long, we saw your grievances and we have come that you may put the past behind and return to where you rightly belong for the sake of that last wish your husband, Ojukwu bequeathed us.
“Please put whatever provoked you aside so that we can forge ahead for the survival of APGA according to the charge by your darling husband, our eternal leader Ojukwu.
” What you should be paying more attention to is the survival of APGA because if APGA survived, Ezeigbo will be happy wherever he is.
” For the effort our Father and Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu put in for the survival of this party, there is nothing worth provoking anyone of us to the extent that we should turn our backs and allow the party to go in ruins.
” I am convinced that you understand the need for the continued struggle for the survival of this Party, that is why I have come with Members of my Committee to plead with you to put away all misdeeds that would’ve offended you.
” Eschew the embarrassment you have suffered; eschew the disappointments you have suffered for the survival of this Party, APGA.
” This Committee pleads to you, for the sake of your husband’s Love for APGA, brighten up and join us in this mission because if we go on this journey without you, we wouldn’t be complete.
” We understand the genuine grievances of all aggrieved persons and we assure you that your involvement will be deemed honorable and everyone will know that you are doing it not for any personal gain but to redeem your husband’s legacy.
” There’s a great battle outside, that is why we do not have to deplete our strength but to come together and strategize for the interest of the Party, APGA.
On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Nteje and Member of the Committee, His Royal Highness, Igwe Rowland Odegbo assured Bianca that her involvement is key in the Party’s continued growth and development especially in this critical moment when it is faced with another very divisive election.
According to him:
“Iyom Bianca, you are the Salt of APGA and we cannot go on fervently without you.
” Your husband, our leader has led this Party and he was once Governor of the Old Eastern Region therefore, you are not an ordinary person in Igbo land.
“Seeing you in APGA campaigns will gladden me in particular because you represent Ojukwu your husband and you have the message that will be told to the people.
Similarly, Chief Titus Anigbogu on his part posited thus:
” We see Ojukwu as our second god therefore we’d come to worship him.” He stressed that APGA will continue to immortalize Ojukwu for his numerous sacrifices to her and for Igbo survival.
Other persons who spoke among the Committee Members were the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Episeni Uche Victor Okafor, APGA BoT Members, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo) and Dr. Mrs Uju Okeke; former Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Anayo Nnebe, former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Chief Emeka Sibudu as well as the State Secretary of APGA, Hon. Barr. Tony Ifeanya all emphasizing the need for unity and harmony in the Party.
On her part, Iyom Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu acknowledged the good intentions of the Committee towards reconciling Party Members in view of the forthcoming November 6th Governorship Election in Anambra State though maintained that a lot more is expected to be done in order to achieve a good result.
She commended Senator Victor Umeh for his continued effort in saving the party in every critical moment pointing out that his leadership of the Committee earned her confidence which made her “opened her house and her heart” for the Meeting in the first place.
Amb. Bianca assured the Committee of her willingness to resume active participation in the Party and to work together with other well-meaning and resourceful Members of the Party to ensure the Party triumphs in the November 6th Governorship Election in Anambra State.
Two suspected armed robbers have been set ablaze by an angry mob in Anambra State.
The incident occurred at Mmili ezi Igbo in Oraukwu community, Idemmili North Local Government Area on Sunday morning.
We gathered the mob carried out the act after a gun battle between the robbers and the community’s vigilance group.
Anambra Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.
He said investigations had commenced to find out what actually transpired, adding that the Command had restored normalcy in the area.
A source told our reporters that the robbers had allegedly snatched a Toyota Camry from their victim at that axis of the community before the local vigilante raced after them following a distress call.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspects had made that area a dangerous zone, adding they always engaged the vigilance group in a gun battle.
Another said the suspects engaged members of the vigilance group in a fierce gun duel before they were subdued
Youths in the area came out in their numbers in anger and burnt the suspects.
The Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has explained that political leadership and the job of delivering good governance to the people remains a serious business for the young and active and not for the elderly.
Obi, who spoke at the Anambra PDP’s Reconciliation and Stakeholders Meeting at Awka, organized by Mr Valentine Ozigbo, stated that it is important to elect into public offices, those who are still young and burning with youthful energy. He said that good governance is very demanding and can easily overwhelm any leader who is elderly and weak.
Congratulating Mr Ozigbo, who is Anambra PDP’s Gubernatorial Candidate, Obi said his emergence is simply the Will of God. Obi explained that Ozigbo’s youthful energy and zeal will help him to accomplish a lot for the State, if he is elected into office.
“I am convinced that Ozigbo can do the job when elected. He is young and energetic with so many accomplishments to his name. Governorship is not a job for the senile, neither is it retirement business.
“I became a Governor at the age of 43 and I know the giant strides made under my administration in all sectors of Anambra State. As a governor, you wake up in the morning and you keep walking and working till night. It is not an easy job.” Obi said.
Obi reminded Ozigbo that his job as a public office holder, when elected into office, is to build a better society and not to make people happy. He maintained that public office holders and political leaders should always focus on investing in infrastructure, health, education, poverty alleviation etc and not be distracted by ‘trying to make everyone happy’.
He appealed to other gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of PDP to eschew animosity and join forces with the party to ensure PDP takes over Agu Awka in the coming elections. He also urged all PDP stakeholders in the State to rally support for the party at the grassroots level to ensure that the party is victorious at polls.
For his part, Mr Ozigbo pledged to serve the good people of Anambra State well and promised to surpass the achievements of Mr Peter Obi, if elected into office. He appealed to other gubernatorial candidates who took part in PDP’s primaries to draw closer to the party and join forces to enable PDP win the elections. He also appreciated their efforts, which he said, had helped form a solid base for the party in the State with respect to the coming elections.
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BREAKING: Biafra: Kano Group Asks Court To Compel NASS To Allow Igbos Break Away From Nigeria
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed November 1, to hear an application seeking an order of court directing the National Assembly to create a framework for a referendum in South-eastern Nigeria, so that Igbos can vote on secession from the country.
Plaintiffs in the suit are Kano-based Nastura Ashir Shariff, Balarabe Rufa’i, Abdul-Aziz Sulaiman and Aminu Adam while the first to fourth respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
In their originating summons seen by our correspondent, the plaintiff, through their lawyer, S.G Idrees Esq, has asked the court to determine whether the constitution empowered NASS to call for a referendum.
They alleged that Igbos were seeking secession through violence against the state.
“WHETHER considering the violent agitation for self-determination by the people of the South-eastern States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as deposed to in the affidavit in support of the Originating Summons and the combined effect of the provisions of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and Articles 1, 2, 4, 14 and 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004, the 2th, 3rd and 4th Defendants are not under a legal obligation to provide a framework that will pave way for the self-determination of the South-eastern States so as to leave the geographical entity called Nigeria before any further step is taken to review the constitution?,” the plaintiffs asked.
Idrees therefore prayed the court to order NASS to allow the Igbos leave the country.
The plaintiffs seek the following reliefs:
“A declaration that by the combined effect of the provisions of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended) and Articles 1,2, and 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights ( Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004, the 4th defendant is empowered to set in motion a framework for a referendum to allow the South-eastern states of Nigeria to decide on their bid for self-determination.
“A declaration that in view of the provisions of Articles 1,2,4, 14 and 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights ( Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004 , the 2nd and 3rd defendants have the power to call for a joint session of both Houses of the 4th defendant to deliberate on the agitation for self-determination by the South-eastern states of Nigeria.
“An order directing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to provide a framework that will pave way for the self-determination of the South-eastern so as to leave the geographical entity called Nigeria before any further step is taken to further amend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Such further or other orders as this Hon. Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”
Our correspondent gathered that Justice Inyang Ekwo will preside over the case.
The development is coming amid the federal government’s face-off with secessionist groups in the country.
The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), led by Nnamdi Kanu, who is now in detention, has recently spearheaded agitation for Biafra.
He is facing prosecution on charges of treasonable felony.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, is presently hospitalised in Maryland, the United States, SaharaReporters has learnt.
SaharaReporters further gathered that Tinubu, who has had several medical trips this year alone, had a surgery last week and could be billed for another one over a yet-to-be-disclosed illness.
The APC National Leader has been off official and party functions in the country for a long time, amidst talks that he is being positioned for the 2023 presidency to succeed the incumbent repressive regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
“Tinubu is hospitalised in Maryland, US. His health is failing. He couldn’t participate in launching his Arewa library, and he couldn’t participate in the Local Government Area elections last week. He could not attend today’s APC congress due to health reasons.
“He had a surgery last week,” an authoritative source disclosed.
In January 2021, Tinubu was also reported sick and hospitalised in Paris, France. Tinubu had earlier complained of exhaustion and had travelled out to rest before the news of his collapse gone viral.
He was flown to Paris for medical attention in the first week of January.
SaharaReporters had on June 15 reported that Tinubu was also in Paris, battling some old age illnesses.
“Tinubu is in Paris, France for a medical checkup. His health is deteriorating. Old age and other stuff, but he still wants to be president. This could mean another medical tourism presidency for our country,” a top source had at that time revealed.
SaharaReporters had reported the conspicuous absence of Tinubu during the one-day working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to commission various projects in Lagos State.
SaharaReporters had learnt that the Presidency, against its former custom, refused to extend an invitation to Tinubu ahead of the visit which should make him feel welcome at the ceremony, and the camp of the APC leader felt embarrassed by the Presidency’s decision.
Top sources had also revealed that Tinubu did not feel comfortable to stay in Lagos during the Presidential visit in order to hide the growing battle between the two from public glare and he instead decided to embark on a journey.
Earlier, the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, had tried to downplay the obvious rift between the two leaders and their camps, saying the interview the President granted to Arise Interview where he mentioned Lagos was not in reference to Buhari.
“You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide on the fate of APC on zoning,” Buhari had said while responding to a question during the interview.
“The hope of this administration is to see APC last beyond it. Therefore we should allow the party to decide. The restructuring of the party has begun from the bottom to the top with the membership card registration. Every member of the party must be involved. We will soon conduct our convention. No single member of the party will be allowed to go against the wish of the party.”
Shehu had maintained that there was no rift between the two leaders and the reference to Lagos was not to Tinubu.
Nigeria anti corrption agency; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has detained the immediate past president of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, i over allegations of theft and money laundering.
Mr Saraki, a former Kwara State governor, was detained on Saturday, sources familiar with the development said, a situation that may trigger another episode of troubles for the politician.
As senate president between 2015 and 2019, Mr Saraki spent a considerable time facing allegations of corruption and false declaration of assets. He was acquitted by the Supreme Court in June 2018.
According to a report by PREMIUM Times, in his new case with the EFCC, Mr Saraki is to answer questions over alleged theft and laundering of public funds using a network of cronies and proxy companies.
The suspected proxies, who executed purported contracts for Kwara State under Mr Saraki, allegedly made returns, for many years, to the former governor, forming an organised a network of dirty money flow.
The funds involved were huge, running into hundreds of millions in naira and hundreds of thousands in foreign currencies at various times, sources said.
Anti-graft investigators have obtained a list of the proxy companies involved and analysed a pattern of suspicious transactions between them and Mr Saraki.
One of them has been reportedly responsible for funding Mr Saraki’s lifestyle, including paying over a hundred million to settle the bills for rent and renovation of Mr Saraki’s Maitama residence, PREMIUM TIMES’ investigation showed, based on interviews with persons familiar with the property.
Journalist101
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Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, have arrived Nigeria and have met with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali for the extradition of the commander of the IGP rapid response team, Abba Kyari.
Kyari was fingered in a fraud case involving Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi who recently plead guilty for wire fraud and money laundering in the United States of America.
Saharareporters quoted a top source as saying four FBI agents met with the IGP on Thursday asking that Nigeria’s celebrated cop, Kyari be taken to the United States for interrogation over his role in the activities of suspected serial internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, more commonly known as Hushpuppi.
The source stated that the agents have returned on Friday (today) to ensure their demands are met, citing the urgency of the case.
He said, “FBI agents met with the IGP yesterday (Thursday) to demand Abba Kyari’s arrest and extradition to the United States citing the urgency of the case. Four FBI agents returned to the IG’s office this morning, they are there asking the IGP to release Kyari for interrogation.”
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A US Court document has detailed conversations between Nigeria’s celebrated Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and infamous suspected fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi regarding bribery and arrest of another suspected fraudster.
Hushpuppi, who recently pleaded guilty in the United States, had narrated how he bribed Kyari.
Officials said in court filings that Hushpuppi disclosed during interrogation that he paid bribes to Nigeria’s police chief, Kyari, to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1 million dupe of a Qatari businessperson.
Abbas had asked Kyari to arrest and jail a fellow fraudster Kelly Chibuzor Vincent after both were locked in a dispute presumably over how to share the $1.1 million loot received from the Qatari businessperson.
Vincent subsequently contacted the victim and informed them that they were being scammed by a syndicate involving him and Abbas.
This elicited anger from Abbas (Hushpuppi), who contacted Kyari to arrest and jail his rival over the dispute. Abbas (Hushpuppi) said Kyari sent pictures of Vincent in jail and subsequently sent a bank account number to him (Hushpuppi) to which a wire transfer should be made having done a ‘good’ job as sent by Abbas (Hushpuppi).
9 Hours Ago
But, Kyari had taken to his Facebook page to react to the allegation, claiming he only assisted Hushpuppi to get native clothes and caps worth N300,000.
Although he admitted to arresting Vincent, he said it was after Hushpuppi alleged that Vincent was threatening his family here in Nigeria.
Kyari denied knowing about the relationship between Hushpuppi and Vincent at the initial stage and later discovered Vincent and Hushpuppi had a misunderstanding over the said amount of money.
He also said he never demanded any money from Abbas (Hushpuppi), adding that they (Kyari and his team) were focused on saving people who were being threatened.
But, the court document proves otherwise, showing clearly that Kyari’s claims were lies.
According to the document, after an earlier discussion with Kyari, Hushpuppi requested for Vincent’s (also known as Chibuzor) contact details, which the latter provided.
Hushpuppi forwarded the contact details to Kyari and on January 15, 2020, Hushpuppi sent an audio recording to Kyari via WhatsApp, stating that he wanted to remind Kyari about what they discussed earlier.
On January 16, 2020, Hushpuppi sent the following threats to Chibuzor: “I dey always tell people to think well before they offend me and make them make sure they fit stand the consequences when the time comes. I won’t say more than that but very soon, very, very soon, the wrath of my hands shall find you and when it does, it will damage you forever. At this point I no get discussion with you, you have committed a crime that won’t be forgiven, that is punishable and you shall receive die (sic) punishment in due time. I swear with my life, you will regret messing with me, you will even wish you died before my hands will touch you.”
Later on, Kyari confirmed the arrest and detention of Vincent Chibuzor to Abbas (Hushpuppi), who requested for an account number to which he will send the bribe meant for Kyari’s team members.
Hushpuppi also pleaded with Kyari to inform his team members to deal with Vincent like an armed robber.
The transcript of their conversation goes thus:
First, Kyari sent a message to Hushpuppi saying, “We would pick him today or tomorrow.”
Abbas (Hushpuppi) wrote, “I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.”
Kyari confirmed “Yes ooo.”
It also stated that on January 20, 2020, Kyari sent biographical, identifying information for Chibuzor to Hushpuppi.
Their conversation goes thus: Abbas (Hushpuppi) confirmed “that is him sir.”
Kyari stated, “We have arrested the guy . . . He is in my cell now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.”
After receiving the photograph of Vincent/Chibuzor, Abbas (Hushpuppi) said, “I want him to go through serious beating of his life.”
In response to Kyari’s question about what Chibuzor had done to Abbas (Hushpuppi), Abbas sent Kyari an audio message.
He said: “What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details.
“Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, ‘These document they sent to you before. These people are fake (sic).
“’This money—is me who can help you to get it. Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,’ and all these things to divert the job for himself.”
After listening to the message, Kyari simply said he understood without requesting other information or evidence relating to Chibuzor’s role in the scheme, or any questions about the nature of the transaction, the document added.
Hushpuppi further said he wanted to pay money to send Chibuzor to jail for a long time, stating “Please sir I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.”
Kyari responded, “Ok bro, I understand I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case. We will do something about it.”
Hushpuppi responded, “Let me know how I can send money to the team sir, let them deal with him like armed robber.”
Kyari responded, “OK I will send their account details to u.”
Hushpuppi further wrote, “He betrayed me and try (sic) to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,” and Kyari responded, “Yeah bro.”
Hushpuppi said, “I want him to suffer for many years.”
Kyari responded, “Hahahaha Hahahaha.”
The document stated that about some minutes later, Kyari provided the account information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than Kyari himself.
Hushpuppi responded “Ok sir, tomorrow by noon.”
This showed that Hushpuppi planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested Chibuzor for that service.
A part of the document stated, ”This was not the only time that Abbas arranged payments with Kyari. On May 20, 2020, Abbas sent Kyari transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a person Abbas knew in the U.A.E.—a person also arrested with Abbas in Abbas’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020—to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria.
“The amounts on the transaction receipts totalled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately $20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.”
Below is the full evidence.
#Detailed conversation between Hushpuppi and DCP Abba Kyari#
4. After Consulting with JUMA, ABBAS Arranged to Have KYARI Imprison CHIBUZO in Nigeria in Retaliation for, and to Prevent Him from, Trying to Coopt the Victim
Businessperson
129. As discussed in paragraph 120, JUMA and ABBAS had a falling out with CHIBUZO after CHIBUZO felt that he was being underpaid (or had not been
paid) for work on the fake Wells Fargo website, and then contacted the Victim Businessperson directly. ABBAS then arranged to have KYARI arrest and imprison CHIBUZO in Nigeria for attempting to redirect fraudulent proceeds
intended for ABBAS and JUMA to himself, to keep CHIBUZO from interfering with the scheme. This section discusses those events and KYARI’s involvement in the conspiracy.
130. On January 13, 2020, the Victim Businessperson contacted JUMA about a person who had contacted the Victim Businessperson about the loan,
stating “This number is calling me but I didn’t answer.” The Victim
Businessperson also provided JUMA a screenshot of and forwarded additional conversations between the Victim Businessperson and CHIBUZO, who was using the U.S. phone number 3054405586. That phone number was the same phone number used by CHIBUZO to send ABBAS information about the fake Wells
Fargo website described earlier. In the messages, CHIBUZO sent the Victim Businessperson’s passport, and claimed to be “trying to help” the Victim Businessperson.
131. JUMA forwarded these messages from the Victim Businessperson to ABBAS, who responded, “I will deal with him.” At approximately the same time,
ABBAS asked CHIBUZO for a phone number on which to call him. Two minutes later, ABBAS sent the phone number on which he contacted CHIBUZO (which
CHIBUZO had previously also sent to ABBAS) to KYARI without providing any 52 additional context. Just before forwarding the phone number to KYARI, ABBAS
placed a nearly five-minute call to KYARI, using the phone number described in paragraph 136.
132. A short time later, ABBAS told JUMA, “setting him up already. He will learn.” JUMA replied, “He almost messed it up bro,” to which ABBAS responded “They are working on it already.”
133. Approximately an hour later, CHIBUZO responded to ABBAS’
message requesting his phone number by providing another phone number. ABBAS also sent this number to KYARI without providing any additional context in the message.
134. On January 15, 2020, this time using WhatsApp, ABBAS sent an
audio recording to KYARI, stating, essentially, that he wanted to remind KYARI about what they discussed earlier.
135. On January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent the following threats to
CHIBUZO:
*I dey always tell people to think well before they offend me and make them make sure they fit stand the consequences when the time comes. I won’t say more than that but very soon, very very soon, the wrath of my hands shall find you and when it does, it will damage you forever. At this point I no get discussion with you, u have
committed a crime that won’t be forgiven, that is punishable and you shall receive die punishment in due
time I swear with my life you will regret messing with me, you will even wish you died before my hands will touch you.
136. Also on January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent a message to KYARI on WhatsApp, and then placed five calls to another phone number (+2348060733588) that was listed as “ABBA KYARI.” Call records show that the last three of the calls were answered and that one of the calls lasted more than two minutes.
Shortly after that, ABBAS received a message from KYARI, confirming “We would pick him today or tomorrow.” ABBAS wrote, “I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.” KYARI confirmed “Yes ooo.”
a. Based on the conversation described in paragraphs 143 to 145, ABBAS planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested CHIBUZO for that service.
b. This was not the only time that ABBAS arranged payments
with KYARI. On May 20, 2020, ABBAS sent KYARI transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a
person ABBAS knew in the U.A.E.—a person also arrested with ABBAS in ABBAS’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020—to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria. The amounts on the transaction receipts totaled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately
$20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.
137. Attempting to reason with ABBAS, on January 18, 2020, CHIBUZO recounted for ABBAS all the assistance he had provided in the scheme to victimize
the Victim Businessperson, including creating the “power of attorney” document (see paragraphs 67–68), devising a story to tell the Victim Businessperson (see paragraph 117), and facilitating the creation of the “telephone banking” number
(see paragraphs 109–116) and fake Wells Fargo website (see paragraph 117).
138. As discussed in paragraph 32.b, on January 20, 2020, KYARI sent to ABBAS biographical, identifying information for CHIBUZO, along with a
photograph of him. In a conversation immediately following, ABBAS confirmed
“that is him sir.” KYARI stated, “We have arrested the guy . . . He is in my Cell 54 now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.” (The below image is a cropped version of the photograph that KYARI sent to ABBAS.)
139. KYARI sent the biographical information about, and photograph of, CHIBUZO to ABBAS using two different WhatsApp numbers—the second of which KYARI said was his “private number.” From that point on, KYARI and ABBAS primarily discussed the arrest and detention of KYARI through WhatsApp on this “private number.”
140. After receiving the photograph of CHIBUZO, ABBAS stated, “I want
him to go through serious beating of his life.” KYARI responded, “Hahahaha,” and ABBAS replied, “Seriously sir.” KYARI then asked for details about what
CHIBUZO did “on audio,” which KYARI said was “So that we will know what to do.”
141. In response to KYARI’s question about what CHIBUZO had done to ABBAS, ABBAS sent KYARI an audio message, which is transcribed here, describing how CHIBUZO had tried to steal away a fraud victim (i.e., “the job”) from him:
*What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me
make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details. Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, “These document they sent to you before. These people are fake. This money—is me who can help you to get it.
Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,” and all these things to divert the job for himself.*
142. After listening to the message, KYARI wrote, “Ok I understand.
But he has not succeeded.” ABBAS claimed CHIBUZO had taken some money, and provided KYARI with two screenshots, one of which contained the phone number 3054405586 (the phone number CHIBUZO used to contact the Victim Businessperson). The screenshots showed a person contacting the Victim Businessperson and stating that he was providing information to try to “help” the Victim Businessperson. KYARI responded, “Yeah I understand.” KYARI did not
request other information or evidence relating to CHIBUZO’s role in the scheme, ask questions about the nature of the transaction, or ask about why CHIBUZO told the Victim Businessperson that ABBAS was “fake.”
143. ABBAS then told KYARI, “Now the [Victim Businessperson] was
skeptic to pay me the money cos he keep attacking the [Victim Businessperson] from his end. Now I can handle the [VictimB usinessperson] correctly.” ABBAS
further told KYARI that he wanted to pay money to send CHIBUZO to jail for a long time, stating “Please sir I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.” KYARI responded, “Ok bro, I understand, I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case. We will do
something about it.”
144. ABBAS responded, “Let me know how I can send money to the team sir[.] let them deal with him like armed robber.” KYARI responded, “OK I will send their account details to u.” ABBAS further wrote, “He betray me and try to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah bro.” ABBAS then continued, “I want him to suffer for many years.”
KYARI responded, “Hahahaha [¶] Hahahaha.”
145. Approximately six minutes later, KYARI provided the account
information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than KYARI himself. ABBAS responded “Ok sir, tomorrow by noon,” indicating that he would make the payment to KYARI’s team by the next day.
146. On the same day, ABBAS sent JUMA the photograph of CHIBUZO
in custody, which KYARI had sent.
147. Approximately a month later, on February 19, 2020, KYARI sent a
message to ABBAS, saying, “Hello hush with [sic] need to talk about the subject under detention with me.” ABBAS asked “Should I call u on this number sir?” to which KYARI replied “Yes call me.”
148. The following day, KYARI sent ABBAS multiple photographs of
CHIBUZO to ABBAS, including close-up photographs showing a rash or skin disease on CHIBUZO’s torso and arms. ABBAS responded, “I don pity am, make them leave am from Tuesday.” KYARI wrote, “Ok bro, they just brought him from hospital. The fever and the rashes is giving him serious Wahala [¶] He got the disease from other suspects in the cell.” ABBAS responded, “I see am, I no too
pity am [¶] That’s what people like him deserve but I go forgive am for God sake.”
In other words, based on my training and experience with Nigerian Pidgin, ABBAS was essentially stating, in part, “I don’t pity him. That’s what people like
him deserve, but I will forgive him for God’s sake.”
a. Based on the date of the messages and later discussion
described in paragraph 150, ABBAS was—on Thursday, February 20, 2020—requesting that KYARI not to release CHIBUZO until Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
149. ABBAS then told KYARI that CHIBUZO’s girlfriend messaged him, trying to raise one million Naira to secure CHIBUZO’s release, and said ABBAS promised to contribute 100,000 Naira. KYARI stated “They were thinking it’s
normal arrest that is why they think money can remove him . . . No money can remove him here [¶] Hahahaha.” ABBAS added, “But it’s better for them to think
that way, I like it like that,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah.”
150. ABBAS then said, “No problem sir from Tuesday he can go,”
apparently giving KYARI his blessing to release CHIBUZO from custody.
KYARI responded, “Ok bro [¶] We will also keep his phone and other gadgets for some weeks.” ABBAS responded, “Yes those ones they should not give him again, those ones are gone . . . Make he no see those ones again for life,” instructing KYARI not to return CHIBUZO’s electronic devices. KYARI responded, “Yes he will not see it Again,” indicating that he would accede to ABBAS’ request.
