OWERRI – Embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari now has a defence team led by three top US law firms to take charge of his indictment by Distrct Court of California, the United States Court on the internet fraud case involving Hushpuppi.
DCP Kyari was on Monday suspended from his duty as DCP in charge of the case of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
The move is coming as he has continued to plead his innocence of collecting bribe from disgraced internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, who has since admitted to duping a Qatari businessman of $1.million.
Concerned Advocates For Good Governance, a political pressure group, revealed that it consulted unnamed U.S based law firms to defend the embattled police officer, while urging Nigerians to join in the effort, according to a statement, quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement, quoted the President-General, of the group, Olusegun Bamgbose, as saying in Owerri on Wednesday that the embattled police officer remained innocent of allegations levelled against him until proven guilty, called on well-meaning Nigerians to rally support for “one of the finest cops Nigeria has ever produced”.
He said contact with the U.S based law firms whose names remain withheld were part of efforts by the group to ensure justice for Kyari if eventually extradited to the U.S, urging the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) not to panic.
Expressing optimism that Kyari would be eventually be cleared of the allegations, the group added: “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.
“One of the leading firms has replied 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 U.S.”
The statement, however, added that while the group did not intend to cover up corruption, fairness and justice should not be denied accused compatriots especially in matters of international concern. NAN