Hushpuppi Debt Collector Abba Kyari Confesses

Hushpuppi debt collector Abba Kyari has confessed.

Newsone reports that embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has moved from recommending a tailor to suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi to being his debt collector.

This online news platform understands that Abba Kyari, who was suspended as IRT Head and replaced by Tunji Disu, has appeared before the Special Investigation Panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to question him on the allegations levelled against him in the fraudulent case filed against Hushpuppi.

Speaking before the panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, former head of the Intelligence Response Team insisted that he did not receive a bribe from Hushpuppi.

The embattled former head of the Intelligence Response Team insisted that he is innocent in the $1.1million Internet fraud perpetrated by Hushpuppi, and five others.

A report monitored on Sahara Reporters by Newsone Nigeria, quoted a top source to have said that: “Kyari has not admitted participating in the fraud yet. He admitted that he lived a large life and has a community of friends locally and abroad, but he is still insisting that monies did not pass between him and the fraudster. He was cross-examined till the evening hours. He would still be re-invited.”

“His defence seems weak before the panel but they are careful not to be quick in nailing him in the matter because of the boomerang effects.”

WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE NIGERIAN LAW ON DEBT RECOVERY?

Newsone understands that debt recovery by law enforcement agencies, especially by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, has become a recurring issue in the country’s justice system.

Debt recovery and contractual breaches are civil cases, which, according to the Police Act are not the duties of police officers. This contradicts Abba Kyari’s claim of acting as a debt collector for Hushpuppi.

Sections 4 and 5 of the Nigerian Police Act 2020 For instance, enumerated the functions of the police.

There is no function that says the police officers can recover debts from individuals or make arrest of an individual on the basis of debts owed in all the functions of the police listed in both sections.

Also, section 32 (2) under the Part VI (Powers of Police Officers) of the Nigerian Police Act 2020 stipulates that the police should not be involved in issues of civil wrong or breach of contract.

Newsone understands that the section states “a person shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract”.

For the sake of emphasis, section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 states verbatim the provision of section 32 (2) of the Police Act.

Therefore, the recovery of N8 million for Hushpuppi’s friend as claimed by suspended Abba Kyari can be classified as a matter of breach of contract — debt recovery — which is in contrast with the provisions of the aforementioned legal provisions.

Meanwhile, Newsone Nigeria reports that several courts in Nigeria, have ruled that the police are not debt collectors and should not be involved in activities that involve debt recovery.