Abba Kyari deletes Facebook post denying Hushpuppi bribe

Abba Kyari, the embattled deputy commissioner of police (DCP), has deleted a Facebook version of his statement denying he took a bribe from Hushpuppi, self-confessed fraudster.

US court documents had shown that Hushpuppi, whose real name is Ramon Abbas, claimed he bribed Kyari to arrest one Vincent Chibuzo, a co-fraudster.

The socialite said he gave the top detective money to jail the rival after a dispute over a $1.1 million scam on Qatari businesspeople.

But Kyari denied any wrongdoing, saying he never collected money from Hushpuppi.

Kyari had proceeded to release a statement on his social handles narrating how he only connected the socialite to a fabric dealer.

The US Federal Bureau of investigation had subsequently secured a court order for Kyari’s arrest over the indictment while the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) set up a panel to probe his relationship with Hushpuppi.

In the heat of developments, Kyari had altered the Facebook version of his statement to further open up on another money-related case he handled involving Hushpuppi.

“Nobody demanded or collected any money from Abbas Hushpuppi. He can be interviewed publicly in the presence of world media by the people holding him to confirm this,” the now-deleted version read.

“He also called for another case in June 2020 and complained about a financial transaction with a second person whom he said his friend sent 8 million naira to and pleaded for his friends money to be recovered.

“He sent transaction slips and other evidences to prove their case against the person, all these can be verified from the Hushpuppi since he is still in custody.

“And it can be verified from person who collected the 8 million naira from Hushpuppi’s friend whom they complained about is alive and is in Nigeria.

“Generally what ever investigation steps/tactics that is being taken in most cases especially on the parties in this type of case from January to June is not for public consumption. This is the true story.”

Kyari also proceeded to take down the full statement from his official Instagram page.

Usman Alkali Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), had recently named Tunji Disu as head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) — a unit previously led by DCP Kyari.