Malami approves seizure of Kyari, accomplices’ property, accounts
Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has granted a request by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to seize DCP Abba Kyari’s and his co-accused assets.
According to reports, the AGF had approved the NDLEA’s proposal, which was sent to the justice ministry last week.
The former Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team and his associates may lose their assets, including cash and money in bank accounts; vehicles; real estate, including hotels, residential and commercial buildings; and personal effects such as wristwatches, jewelry, and other valuable possessions, as a result of this development.
It had been reported that about N4.2bn was traced to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.
The NDLEA had on March 7 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 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.