TheCable

Concerned Advocates For Good Governance (CAGC), a political pressure group, says it has consulted US-based law firms to defend Abba Kyari, the deputy commissioner of police and former head of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

Kyari was suspended by the Police Service Commission (PSC) over his alleged relationship with Ramon Abbas, self-confessed international fraudster better known as Hushpuppi.

Hushpuppi had alleged that he bribed Kyari to arrest and jail “one of his rivals in Nigeria after a dispute over a $1.1 million scam on Qatari business people”, but Kyari denied any wrongdoing, saying he never collected money from Hushpuppi.

Commenting on the matter, Olusegun Bamgbose, the president-general of CAGC, said the embattled police officer remains innocent of allegations levelled against him until proven guilty.

He made the pressure group’s position known in a statement released on Wednesday, calling on Nigerians to rally support for “one of the finest cops Nigeria has ever produced”.

Bamgbose said the move to engage the American law firms is part of the group’s effort to ensure justice for Kyari if eventually extradited to the US.

He expressed optimism that Kyari would eventually be cleared of the allegations.

“We have diligently consulted with about three notable law firms in the United States to give us their legal opinions on what can be done to formidably defend Abba Kyari,” he said.

“One of the leading firms has replied to us and gone ahead to send us the indictment against Abba Kyari and other details which is about 26 pages.

“The reputable law firm, well-grounded on extradition issues, has assured us of their readiness to represent Kyari’s interest before and after his possible extradition to the US.”

Bamgbose said the group does not intend to cover up corruption, adding that fairness and justice should not be denied the accused.