By Linus Akomolafe
As the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, recently suspended in connection with a $1.1m scam involving an internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas also known as Hushpuppi continues to fight over his indictment, about 31 northern lawyers set to defend him in court have claimed that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) breached international protocol.
Speaking on behalf of the 31 legal practitioners from 19 northern states on Wednesday, Barrister Bappah Salisu, said the move by the FBI to extradite Kyari to the United States, did not follow due procedure, stressing that they breached international protocol.
He said: “We would raise questions involving the possibility of breaches to Kyari’s fundamental rights entrenched in Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right which essentially state that every individual shall have the right to liberty and to the security of his person and every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard.
“This comprises the right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognised and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force.
“The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal; the right to defence, including the right to be defended by counsel of his choice; the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal.”
The FBI have alleged that Abba Kyari worked with Hushpuppi to punish his rival, Kelly Chibuzor Vincent with whom he defrauded a Qatari of $1.1 million.
The accusation came after Hushpuppi reportedly pleaded guilty to charges of fraud in an American court on 27th July.
But Kyari has since denied any wrongdoing, saying Hushpuppi’s partner, Chibuzor, was arrested after his office was called about a potential case of threat to life.
