Crime
REVEALED: Super cop, Abba Kyari was set up by trusted allies in NDLEA
By Paul Eso
Certainly, the last is yet to be heard of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, over his alleged involvement in illicit drug dealings.
Kyari’s case can be likened to ‘dog chop dog’ situation in Nigeria, that has led to an inter-agency rivalry.
DCP Abba Kyari
Recent findings have revealed that Kyari was set up by close and trusted allies in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, because he was too influential in the police force.
The highly decorated officer was arrested on February 14 for drug peddling along with four other officers – Sunday Ubuah, Bawa James, Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu – following a “high-level discreet” investigation.
Kyari’s arrest came hours after Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) declared him a wanted man, accusing him of being “a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline”.
Read also ‘Why NDLEA destroyed N194 billion cocaine seized in Ikorodu warehouse’
Report says the suspended DCP asked a colleague to help him siphon off part of a cocaine haul and he was caught on camera handing over $61,400 (£45,400) in cash.
Before his arrest, he had already been suspended for allegedly helping self-avowed fraudster, Hushpuppi, to launder money in the US.
He was said to be using his massive influence in the police to divert seized drugs from suspects, and reselling the drugs to other drug dealers.
Instead of handing over seized drugs to NDLEA as mandated by law, our sources said Kyari diverted the drugs he and his IRT men seizes from drugs suspects, kill the case, & resell the drugs to other dealers for huge sums of money.
This, it was gathered, didn’t go well with unscrupulous elements in the NDLEA who believed that he was using his police influence and closeness to powers to divert their ‘choppings’.
But the supper cop also has his own reasons of not handing over seized drugs to NDLEA officials. According to our findings, some staff of the anti-drug agency was in the habit of reselling seized drugs to other dealers.
It was gathered that Kyari has arrested suspects in the past, who have confessed to these claims. This infuriated him to start selling seized drugs, rather than hand them over to the NDLEA officials, unless the agency knows or hears about the arrest/seizure, before Kyari would hand surrender to the appropriate authority.
The fall of Kyari confirmed that most of security agents in Nigeria, are working for their personal pockets, rather than fighting real crime. They were said to have been emboldened because there was no consequence for wrong doing under the present government.
Our source who understands the workings of security agencies, cited the recent destruction of the 1.8 tons of cocaine seized in a Lagos warehouse on September 18, by the NDLEA as an example.
“For example, how do we explain this latest actions of NDLEA? They hurriedly destroyed 194 billion naira worth of seized cocaine in their custody, in less than two weeks after seizure. Those who know, know that a lot of things must have played out.
“A huge chunk of those sized drugs will finds it’s way back into the society, through some of those corrupt big boys in NDLEA, and their cronies, leaving lots of questions begging for answers.
“Was there an investigation to ascertain the true owners of the drugs. Was there further arrest after the seizure? Why the hurry by NDLEA to destroy this particular seizure, when there are lots and lots of old seized drugs in their custody? Who are they trying to protect.
“If you ask police officers who work under Abba Kyari in IRT, or those very close to him, they will attest to this claim. Corrupt NDLEA officials after seizing hard drugs, often divert huge chunks of it, to resell to other standby drug dealers.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
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