By Babalola Seyi
Supercop, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Police Commissioner, DCP, is now cooling his heels in the cell of the NDLEA; an unthinkable specter, even in any worst-case scenario.
In less than a year, Kyari, a hero of a Police Officer, whose exploits in crime-bursting only movie scriptwriters could dream of, has been implicated in two high-profile cases.
The first, drug baron, Hushpuppi who was arrested last year by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI agents, alleged that Kyari was an accomplice in his drug dealings. This sounded incredulous to almost everyone; even his enemies didn’t believe the story.
That was why the process of Kyari’s extra-diction to the US to face trial has taken so long. Nigerian authorities were shocked that the country’s most famous crime-buster was so brazenly accused by a notorious felon like Hushpuppi. He was being carefully investigated to verify the drug lord’s claims before an extradition request could be considered.
Suddenly, on Monday, February 14, when Nigerians were enjoying their Valentine’s Day celebrations, the news went viral that Abba Kyari was wanted by the NDLEA for alleged complicity with a drug syndicate. He was caught on camera by undercover agents as he negotiated the release of criminal drug couriers arrested by the agency.
The little integrity Kyari still had gone up in smoke as the NDLEA played the tape where Kyari was seen negotiating with officials of the agency, for the trading off of 15kg of hard drugs on behalf of those being held.
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Consequently, the NDLEA has handed Kyari to the police for further investigation and prosecution under the NDLEA act.
Part II, chapter 11 of the Act provides that “(a) Any person, who without lawful authority imports, manufactures, plants, or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin, and other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.
“(b)export, transport, or otherwise traffic in the drug popularly known as cocaine, LSD heroine, or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.
“(c) sells, buys, exposes or offers for sales or otherwise deals in or with the drug popularly known as cocaine, LSD heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life.”
Tampering with evidence, which is one of the offences Kyari is accused of, is likewise punishable under Section 16 of the Act. If convicted of evidence tampering, Kyari faces a sentence of 25 years in jail.
It should be remembered that during his heyday, Kyari was adored by Nigerians, with the House of Representatives even honoring him in the Green Chamber for his achievements.