The Rise And Fall Of Abba Kyari The Super Cop -By Okey Tony Uzoma

I have been one of those advocating for the release of DCP Abba Kyari in consideration of his past exploits in crime fighting. The super cop as he is fondly called by many, in his heyday, had many record-breaking feats as a crime buster before his fall. Before then, he was the poster boy of the Nigerian Police Force, hugging headlines and picking awards from far and near until the crash. To his credit, Abba Kyari crime busting record is nonpareil in the history of Nigeria Police Force. But beyond crime busting, the Bornu State-born cop was also said to be involved in criminal activities with the power and the resources at his disposal leading to his fall. For the over three years now, the much-celebrated cop has been in Kuje Prison with some of those he had hitherto hunted as criminals. How are the mighty fallen!

Kyari’s fall was not as result of envy or set-up from his jealous colleagues as we were initially made to believe neither is it from pride as it is said that pride goes before a fall, but, it is due to his own actions. Call it Karma or nemesis, if you like.

As is usual of successful people, the highly decorated Nigerian police officer was enjoying the glamor and the spotlight, fraternizing with the politicians, the powers that be, the men of timber and caliber and celebrities until 2021 when the bubble burst. First, he was named in the US in a fraud case involving the Nigerian most notorious fraudster Ramon Abbas alias Huspuppi. He was indicted by a US court as a conspirator in a $1.1 million fraudulent deal with Hushpuppi after Hushpuppi confessed to the crime. Then the US instituted indictment proceedings against Kyari, following allegations of money laundry. Thereafter, he was arrested and suspended by the Nigerian Police. And in 2022, he was again arrested over allegation that he belongs to an international drugs cartel. He was arrested by the police together with four other accomplices – Sunday Ubuah, Bawa James, Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu – when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) declared him wanted, accusing him of being a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline.

As if that is not enough, the embattled super cop is also facing charges of false asset declaration and perjury. It was alleged that he did not make full disclosure of his assets as stipulated by law. The property that he was alleged not to disclose the ownership were located at: Plot No. 1927 Blue Fountain Estate, Karsana, an Estate at Linda Chaulker Road, Asokoro extension, Abuja, a Plaza under construction adjacent to No.13 Balin Suleiman Street, behind NNPC Petrol Station, Guzape Abuja. He was also alleged to have acquired properties in Bornu his home state by proxy by disguising the true ownership of the property situate at Plot No, 33, Bama Road GRA Extension Maiduguri, Borno State Covered by Certificate No: 80/4319 issued by Borno State Government and another property situate at Plot of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy No: 000271 issued by Maiduguri Metropolitan council Borno State by deposing to false Affidavit at the Federal High Court Maiduguri.

But beyond all these official charges against Mr. Abba Kyari, there are other unknown and uninvestigated cases of extortion, illegal conversion of seized assets, intimidation and killing, that involved Abba Kyari. While some are hailing Kyari for rescuing their loved ones from the jaws of death in the hands of the dare-devil kidnappers and bandits, there are many crying from vengeance over Kyari’s involvement in the crime against them. Some of the stories about his illegal activities are horrifying and heart-rending. Unfortunately, most of the stories were never reported in the media prompting many to assume that they were rumors generated by the criminals that Kyari smoked out while in active duty.

On the other hand, many were of the view that the swashbuckling police officer paid his men in the press to suppress the stories just as it also believed that the numerous write-ups and demonstrations put up for his release were all sponsored by him from his prison cell.

Be that as it may, Abba Kyari’s case should be properly and thoroughly investigated and treated. Others with fresh cases, allegations and complaints about the incarcerated super cop should be encouraged to come up with them. Just as we praised him for his gallantry, it is also necessary that we condemn in strong terms his alleged involvements in crime. Public officers and law enforcement officers should be made to know that they are paid to serve and protect lives and not for self-enrichment. They must be made to know that nobody is above the law and that actions have consequences.

Okey Tony Uzoma

A researcher and a media Consulltant