Illicit Drug Deals: NDLEA seeks seizure of Abba Kyari’s assets, bank accounts, others

*The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency has written to Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, seeking an express approval to confiscate properties, assets and bank accounts belonging to suspended DCP Abba Kyari currently facing prosecution for alleged links with an international drug cartel

*Kyari’s wife slumps in Abuja court, says report

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

There seems to be more trouble for suspended DCP Abba Kyari, ex-leader of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has written to Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, seeking an express approval to confiscate properties, assets and bank accounts belonging to the embattled ‘Super Cop’.

ConsumerConnect learnt that NDLEA’s request, reportedly filed and dispatched to the office of the AGF in the past week, was sequel to Kyari’s arraignment by the anti-narcotics agency March 7, 2022, alongside six other accused persons.

The regulatory agency had  effected their arrests for dealing in drugs and having links with an international drug cartel.

Therefore, if the AGF gives the NDLEA’s request, the assets and properties of the ex-IRT Chief that could be seized include cash and money in his bank accounts, houses, both residential and commercial, vehicles, real estate, hotels, personal effects such as wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions, report said.

Recall the NDLEA slammed Kyari and his co accused, ACP Sunday Ubia, who was his deputy in the IRT, ASP James Bawa, Inspector Simon Agirigba, Inspector John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alfonsus Ezenwanne, with eight-count charges of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences at the Federal High Court, in Abuja, FCT.

Besides, the suspended DCP Kyari was also indicted by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged involvement in a $1.1million scam perpetrated by Abass Ramon, an international fraudster, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The purported transnational crime later led to Kyari’s suspension by the Nigeria July 2021, amidst request by the FBI for his extradition and subsequent prosecution.

During its initial investigations, the NDLEA said it had allegedly traced the sum of N4.2billion to an account belonging to Kyari’s deputy, Ubua.

Kyari, Ubua received total N4.2billion from several shady deals ─NDLEA

The NDLEA also disclosed that it discovered that Kyari and Ubua had received a combined N4.2billion in different shady deals while they were still in charge of the IRT team.

The sum of N1.4billion had passed through Kyari’s accounts when he was commander of the IRT, while Ubua received not less than N2.8billion which was traced to eight bank accounts belonging to him.

The agency stated that it suspects the funds may have been from the sale of a huge consignment of tramadol seized by the team at a warehouse from the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State because the monies hit the suspects’ account at about the same period of the seizure.

Confirming the NDLEA’s letter requesting the confiscation of Kyari’s assets and bank accounts, Mr. Femi Babafemi, Spokesman of the agency, in a statement said it was a normal and regular procedure for the agency to make such s request.

Babafemi also stated: “It’s a normal procedure to seek approval for a no debit order on suspects’ bank accounts when suspicious transactions are noticed in such accounts.”

A senior officer of the agency who preferred anonymity, also confirmed the move, stating that under the NDLEA act, the agency could not just not seize a suspect’s property without the consent of the Attorney-General.

“Under the NDLEA Act, the NDLEA cannot forfeit his assets unless based on the consent of the Attorney-General. The NDLEA wrote last week and the AGF is considering the request.”

Kyari’s wife slumps at court hearing

Meanwhile, a lady identified as wife of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyari reportedly Monday, March 14, 2022, slumped at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

It was gathered Ramatu Kyari slumped and fell on the floor when officials of the NDLEA were leading Kyari and others away from the court premises.

The development followed the deferment of ruling on Kyari’s bail application by the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.

The judge deferred ruling on the bail applications filed by Kyari, alongside six other persons facing drug trafficking charges, pending the determination of the case against them.

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