The Police Service Commission (PSC) has emphasised immediate dismissal and prosecution of besmirched officer Abba Kyari over his involvement in the international online fraud syndicate led by Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas.
Two sources and internal memos outlined how the police regulatory body placed the interest of the Nigeria Police Force as an institution over Mr Kyari’s career trajectory and medals, saying his fate, if not appropriately and firmly decided, could leave an enduring blight on the country’s law enforcement.
“Allowing somebody who has embarrassed the country to keep a high-ranking position in the police could further compound our problems as a nation,” a top official told The Gazette under anonymity because he was not authorised to provide details of ongoing deliberation to journalists. “This position has been clearly conveyed to the inspector-general.”
The position of panellists at PSC led to the return of Inspector-General Alkali Baba Usman’s report last week. The police chief was given two weeks to come up with a better report or the PSC would be forced to act.
“The IGP recommended demotion of Abba Kyari from DCP [deputy police commissioner] to ACP [assistant police commissioner] and this led to the anger of the PSC,” another source at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
The source said Mr Usman was warned that presenting such a report to the PSC could attract adverse consequences, “but he didn’t listen to us.”
Mr Usman had said in his report that Mr Kyari, 46, should be given another chance to redeem himself because he had “won many medals”, “positively projected the image of the NPF” and “performed well above his coursemates,” according to an internal police memo.
The PSC panellists acknowledged Mr Kyari’s strides when he was in active service, but said his infractions as to Hushpuppi’s criminal activities were too weighty to be forgiven, two officials familiar with the deliberation disclose.
“His crimes could have serious implications for the country,” an official said. “The United States could sever collaboration with Nigeria in security areas, especially FBI training of our officers.”
Mr Usman was also asked specifically about whether or not it was established that Mr Kyari collected money and the overall criminal conspiracy shade of his action.
“Nothing short of his dismissal and prosecution will be acceptable to the commission,” an official said. “The IG has been asked to go and do the right thing by recommending his dismissal and prosecution or everything will be forced on him.”
“The PSC has powers to fire Abba Kyari and recommend his prosecution, but still decided to give the IG another chance to do the right thing,” our source added.
