The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari on Tuesday has denied collecting bribes from internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas popularly known as ‘Hushpuppi’ to detain a gang member Chibuzo Vincent.
according to Kyari, he was only sent receipts to recover a loan of N8 million.
Kyari’s comment marked a stark breakaway from his initial defence following his indictment by the United States.
The Police Chief had initially claimed in a Facebook statement on July 29 that he had no ties to Hushpuppi, stating that the con artist only sent him N300,000 to help purchase native wears.
But following reports of how he collected N8 million from Hushpuppi, Mr Kyari edited his Facebook post on Tuesday night and changed his story as he came under widespread public ridicule and police administrative action.
He said the N8 million which was subsequently reported by other media outlets, was for him to collect as an outstanding debt owed to Hushpuppi, and not as a bribe for him to hold Chibuzo for the scamming of Qatari business person to pull through as alleged by the FBI in court filings.
In his words, “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. 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 8million naira to and pleaded for his friend’s money to be recovered.”
“He sent transaction slips and other evidence to prove their case against the person, All these can be verified from Hushpuppi since he is still in Custody.
And it can also be verified from the person who collected the N8 million naira from Hushpuppi’s friend that was complained about. He is alive and in Nigeria.
Generally, whatever investigation, steps/tactics that are 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,” Mr Kyari said.
