Former Head of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari, has been described as the product of a broken system by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN.
Following investigations into indicted fraudster Ramon Abbas alias Hushpuppi’s $1.1 million fraud scheme, a US judge ordered Kyari’s arrest.
During a telephone conversation with AIT on Tuesday, August 3, Falana expressed his displeasure with the country’s level of social and political deterioration, which he believes is reflected in the charge against Kyari. He demanded that extradition procedures be adhered to.
“To put an end and close this ugly chapter, the investigation must go beyond the indictment by the FBI, the matter must be investigated locally, and Kyari shall not just be handed to America, we operate under the rule of law whether the government likes it or not, there is an extradition act in place which requires that countries like the United States of America with which Nigeria has entered into treaties, so there are procedures to be followed if you want a criminal suspect either here or in America to face court trial. “
“Kyari is just the product of a failed system. In the case of Nigeria-America, a treaty was entered in 1935 under the British colonial regime, but between then and now, dozens of citizens have been extradited from Nigeria, some were adopted and thrown to the United States, but not a single suspect [that is an] American citizen has been brought for trial in Nigeria’ he said.
He called on the Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, to follow and process an extradition request from the United States, while decrying how public officials, including senior police officers and the Department of State Security (DSS), violate court orders.
