The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has said there is no confusion or conflict over the extradition proceedings and cocaine-trafficking charges filed against Abba Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police.
Mr. Malami said this while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
There have been concerns that the move to extradite Mr. Kyari to the U.S. may be scuttled by the cocaine-related charges filed against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The concerns are anchored on section 3 (6) of the Extradition Act, which prohibits the extradition of a fugitive standing trial on different criminal charges in Nigeria.
The part of the Extradition Act reads, “(A) A fugitive criminal who has been charged with an offense under the law of Nigeria or any part thereof, not being the offense for which his surrender is sought; or
“(B) Who is serving a sentence imposed in respect of any such offense by a court in Nigeria, shall not be surrendered until such a time as he has been discharged whether by acquittal or on the expiration of his sentence or otherwise.”
But Mr. Malami, without addressing the specific implication of the statutory provisions on the move to extradite Mr. Kyari, described the concerns about the likely impact of the cocaine-trafficking charges on the extradition move as a misconception.
“There is no confusion, but there is a great misconception or perhaps either mischievous or otherwise on the part of certain, perhaps journalists that have not taken their time to study a situation, understand it and act accordingly,” he said.
He recalled that the United States government had asked for Mr. Kyari’s extradition regarding his roles in a $1.1million fraud spearheaded by a former Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi before the NDLEA charged him with cocaine-related offenses in February.
It was earlier reported that Mr. Malami filed the extradition proceedings against Mr. Kyari based on the U.S. government’s request.
Despite the clear provisions of the Extradition Act and the likelihood of the defense citing the NDLEA case as grounds for dismissing the extradition proceedings, the AGF maintained that there was no conflict between the two cases on Wednesday.
“What I am saying is there is nothing like confusion, there is nothing like conflict, there are two distinct and separate cases,” he said.
He added, “So the conclusion as to whether a person should be extradited or not, is a function, or perhaps multilateral function inclusive of the international community that makes a request, the Office of the Attorney General … request and the judiciary to which the request is presented for review, analysis and decision.”
Asked the status of the extradition proceedings, Mr said, “It’s being processed at the judicial level.”
The comment appears to be an attempt to set the judiciary up for blame, considering that the court may have to dismiss the extradition proceedings once the pending NDLEA’s cocaine case is cited by Mr. Kyari’s legal team.
It also fuels speculations about a conspiracy theory that the NDLEA case was hurriedly filed in court to scuttle the extradition proceedings, and have Mr. Kyari remain in Nigeria where his trial can go on without an end for years.
Non-committal response
Mr. Malami’s response to the question of the implication of the cocaine charges on the extradition case was non-committal.
Asked about the legal implication of elevating the illegal dealing in cocaine charges above the extradition case, the AGF said, “You can have hundreds of cases pending in court related to a single individual.
“So that is the position things and as you rightly know perhaps you may have a criminal case pending before a state high court another one pending before the federal court depending on the magnitude dimensions, characters, and peculiarities of the case. I hope it is clear.”
He went on to distinguish between the extradition case and the cocaine-related, without being clear on whether or not the extradition proceedings might be scuttled.
“And then while this (communication with the U.S.) was ongoing, the request for extradition was being considered, another case came in, which has to do with the NDLEA, and this time around a local cause that is devoid of any international dimension,” he said.
He explained further that “what you have are two distinctly separate and independent cases – one international in dimension the other one local, so your idea of conflict does not arise.”
He blamed the “misconception” arising from the matter on journalists whom he accused of “reporting cases out of context without caring to understand the true provisions, dimensions, and characters of a case might have”.
“What I am saying is there is nothing like confusion, there is nothing like conflict, there are two distinct and separate cases,” he added.
Further probe on fraud allegation
Mr. Malami also reiterated that his office had yet to exonerate Mr. Kyari of his alleged involvement in the Hushpuppi fraud case.
It was earlier reported that Mr. Malami explained that his recent legal advice to the police was not meant to exonerate Mr. Kyari. He described the case as a work in progress.
Suspended and embattled police officer, DCP Abba Kyari.
Mr. Malami noted that the report of the investigation was submitted to his office for a review “to see whether there is a need for enhancement of investigation as it relates to certain key elements of the offense”.
“So it is from this background perspective that you will need to consider what fully transpired in the case of Abba Kyari. Allegations were made, investigations were conducted, and then requests for further enhancement of investigation were indeed made by the Office of the Attorney General for the purpose of covering the field in arriving at an informed decision one way or the other.
“So while this process of correspondence between the Office of the Attorney General and the police is ongoing, it is indeed a work in progress and never conclusive position. So that is what I can tell you clearly, there was indeed an independent request for an investigation.
“Interim investigation report was presented to the office of the attorney general and the attorney general at the point requested for further enhancement of the investigation and highlighted some areas in respect of which enhancement of investigation is required.
“So it is indeed premature or perhaps mischievous for any conclusion to have been driven in the direction of exoneration or otherwise of liability or responsibility related therein.”
At the 2024 Medic West Africa Event, organised by ABCHealth in collaboration with Informa Markets, Access Bank reaffirmed its dedication to fostering positive transformation in healthcare across Africa.
The event, which served as a platform for stakeholders across industries deliberate on the theme ‘Healthcare Investments in Africa: Mobilizing the Private Sector to Drive Healthcare Investments in Africa,’ aimed to chart a path through which corporates can leverage innovative financing models and strategic partnerships in fostering the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussions also explored strategies for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, leveraging technological advancements, as well as enhancing community health initiatives.
Lending his voice to the conversation, Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division at Access Bank Plc, stressed that, “The government can’t carry the burden of the health sector alone. Hence, it is imperative that the private sector explores and implements innovative financing models and strategic partnerships to bridge the healthcare investment gap.”
Opara noted that collaborative effort between the public and private sectors is not only crucial but essential to driving innovation, improving healthcare accessibility, and ensuring sustainable development across the continent.
Walking the talk on partnerships, Access Bank partnered with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), to launch the Adopt-A-Health Facility Program (ADHFP) with the primary aim of delivering, at least, one global standard Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. So far, the initiative has resulted into over 180 PHCs adopted across the country.
Other notable participants at the event include Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth; Jane Ike-Okoli, Head of Specialised Sectors Business & Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC; Odunayo Sanyo, Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Ibironke Akinmade, Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank, and Zouera Youssoufou, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation.
About Access Bank PLC
Access Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 21 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 thousand people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.
Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings Plc, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.
As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.
Nigerian workers have been reassured by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the National Assembly and the executive branch of government will cooperate to provide them with improved working conditions and a livable wage.
The Senate President declared that “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best.”
He made this known in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.
Akpabio, in the message, extolled the sterling qualities that stood out to the Nigerian workers, saying “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.
“I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian workers in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker’s spirit resonates profoundly.”
Speaking on this year’s theme for Workers’ Day, “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” Akpabio promised that the National Assembly under his leadership was more than committed to ensuring the best working conditions for the Nigerian workers.
The Senate President reiterated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt and in tune with the international best practices, assuring that Nigeria would not be left behind.
The Organised Labour has handed the Federal Government May 31 deadline to come up with a realistic and reasonable new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Labour made this known during the Workers’ Day celebrations at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo were unanimous that the N30,000 current minimum wage has been grossly insufficient for Nigerian workers in the light of current economic realities and inflationary pressure including food inflation, hike in energy and transportation cost, amongst others.
They insisted that a new living wage of ₦615,000 be expeditiously approved by the President Bola Tinubu administration before the end of May.
Ajaero said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC have made it clearly and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country.”
On his part, Osifo asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.
“The NLC and TUC hereby advise NERC and power sector operators to reverse the last increase in electricity tariff within the next one week,” the trade union boss said.
Nigerians mark this year’s May Day amid spiralling, and unending snake-like queues at filling stations as scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol worsens across the Federation.
Although there have been assurances by the major oil supplier in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to alleviate this issue, however, the queues have persisted for over one week.
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