N8 Million Bribe: I acted as debt collector for Hushpuppi, says Abba Kyari
Abba Kyari on Tuesday denied collecting bribes from Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas to detain a gang member Chibuzo Vincent, saying the notorious fraudster only sent him receipts of N8 million transaction to help him recover a loan.
Mr 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, saying the con artist only sent him N300,000 to help him purchase native wears.
But following Peoples Gazette’s report 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 reported by The Gazette, 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 businessperson to pull through as alleged by the FBI in court filings.
“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 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 8million naira from Hushpuppi’s friend whom they complained about is alive and is in Nigeria. Generally Whatever 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,” Mr Kyari said.
Barely four hours after changing his story, Mr Kyari deleted the entire post from his Facebook page. He did not return The Gazette’s requests for comments about his decision to take down the statement.
More from Peoples Gazette
Anti-Corruption
Nigerian lawyers, accountants present forged documents for registrations: CAC
Nigerian lawyers, accountants, and chartered secretaries have been accused of presenting forged documents to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) during registrations.
Enugu
Agric will end IPOB’s Biafra agitation, says Anglican Archbishop
The clergyman says engaging every idle hand in the zone, through agriculture and agro-allied entrepreneurship, will solve the agitation problem.
Faith
Redeemed senior pastor shot dead on altar
A senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, King of Kings parish in Ketu, Bolanle Ibrahim, has been shot dead on the altar while praying for congregants.
Rights
Nigerian Army approves death benefits to late Sani Abacha’s family
A military memo seen by Peoples Gazette said Mr Abacha’s family members will receive benefits alongside 63 other families of fallen soldiers.
World
Police negotiating with man threatening to bomb Kiev building
Ukrainian law enforcement officers are negotiating with a man threatening to detonate a hand grenade inside the cabinet building.
Rights
Executing inmates not a solution to Nigeria’s prison decongestion: CSOs
Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has urged the federal and state governments not to execute death-row inmates, insisting it is not a solution to decongest prisons.
