A Deputy Commissioner of Police in Nigeria, Abba Alhaji Kyari, has been accused of collecting a bribe from embattled social media celebrity, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
In court documents released by the United States Department of Justice on Wednesday, titled: ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds’.
DCP Kyari was said to have been bribed to arrest one Kelly Chibuzor Vincent, 40, in Nigeria, who created bogus documents and arranged for the creation of a fake bank website and phone banking line to support the defrauding of a business person trying to provide $1.1m for the funding of a school in Qatar.
Vincent was said to have contacted the businessman after a dispute with Hushpuppi and other members of the syndicate to expose the fraud. Angered by his move, Hushpuppi had ordered Kyari to arrest him in Nigeria and lock him up.
Kyari, after arresting and locking up Vincent, reportedly sent photos as confirmation to Hushpuppi, who sent the police officer some money via a provided bank account number.
Recall that Hushpppi pleaded guilty to charges filed against him by the United States Government for money laundering.
The 38-year-old now risks a 20-year jail term when declared guilty.
His guilty plea bargain was filed at a U.S. Central District Court of California and signed by him and his lawyer, Louis Shapiro, and the Assistant United States Attorney, Anil Antony, on July 4.
Reacting to the allegations on Thursday morning, the DCP in a statement on his verified Facebook page said his hands are clean.
According to Kyari, “nobody demanded money from the embattled Instagram influencer, stating that the focus of the police was to save people’s lives that were purportedly threatened”.
Kyari explained that “Hushpuppi had informed the police that somebody in Nigeria was threatening to kill his family. He added that the social media celebrity, who was based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before his incarceration, also sent the suspect’s phone number, urging the police to act fast to save his family”.
He however said the suspect was allowed to go after investigation showed they were long time friends with disagreements over money.
Kyari insisted that he did not demand a dime from Hushuppi, saying the only time they had discussions about money was when the fraudster demanded to know who sews his native clothes and caps, adding that after linking both party, Hushpuppi sent N300,000 for five sets of attires.