Justice Otis Wright of the United States District Court, Central District of California has issued a warrant of arrest for a deputy commissioner of police in Nigeria, Abba Kyari.

In a statement entitled ‘Six indicted in international scheme to defraud Qatari school founder and then launder over $1 million in illicit proceeds,’ released yesterday, the judge ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to arrest Kyari and produce him in the United States for his role in the fraud perpetrated by Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, and his co-conspirators.

The court said Hushpuppi, who pleaded guilty to various charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, and felony, among others, used Kyari, a leader of the inspector-general of police’s intelligence response team, to arrests and jail an associate, Chibuzor Vincent after he (Vincent) had threatened to expose a $1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.

According to the indictment by the court, Hushpuppi allegedly conspired with five others – including Vincent – to defraud the businessperson (whose name was withheld) by claiming to be consultants and bankers who could facilitate a loan to finance the construction of a school in Qatar.

The document also said Hushpuppi worked with some of his partners in crime including 28-year-old Abdulrahman Juma from Kenya, and 40-year-old Chibuzo Vincent from Nigeria. Others are Yusuf Anifowoshe, 26; Rukayat Fashola, 28; and Bolatito Agbabiaka, 34.

However, Hushpuppi allegedly hunted Vincent after a dispute broke out among the team and after the latter threatened to expose the fraud to the Qatari businessman.

“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” the document stated.

Responding, Kyari, in his facebook post admitted that Hushpuppi called his office and reported a death threat from someone about two years ago.

He said the suspect, Vincent, was arrested but later released after investigations revealed that “they are long time friends who have money issues between them”.

The police officer also said he did not receive any money from Hushpuppi.

Kyari explained that Hushpuppi once saw some of his (Kyari’s) native clothes and caps on his (Kyari’s) social media page, expressed a liking for them and was connected to the person selling the clothes.

“He sent about N300k directly to the person’s account,” Kyari said.

The Police officer said this via his verified Facebook page in reaction to an allegation levelled against him by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.

“Friends: Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about two years ago that somebody in Nigeria seriously threatened to kill his family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s phone number and pleaded we take action before the person attacks his family.

“We traced and arrested the suspect and after investigations, we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life and they are long-time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

“Nobody demanded a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

“Later, he saw some of my Native Clothes and Caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The Native Clothes and Caps (five sets) were brought to our office and He sent somebody to collect them in our office.

“For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious Big Money, They will be disappointed once again as our hands are clean and our record of Service for two decades is open for everybody to see.

“They will continue seeing us serving our fatherland and we will continue responding to all distress Calls from all Nigerians provided they are life-threatening.

“For Good Nigerians who appreciate our Service please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false Narratives without any Evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors.

“Thank you all and GOD bless Nigeria,” wrote Kyari on his facebook page.