FBI must make formal request for Abba Kyari’s extradition__ Ozekhome

One of Nigeria prominent lawyers, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has lamented that the United States must make a formal request for the extradition of Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyari.

Recall that Kyari was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the fraud case against Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi in the US.

While speaking on Arise News on Monday, Ozekhome stated that the FBI can’t just come to Nigeria to arrest Kyari without going through an extradition process.

According to him, “When America demanded Abba Kyari, I heard people say FBI can now arrest Abba Kyari. No, you cannot do that. Nigeria is a sovereign country for crying out loud, no matter how down in the doldrums we have become.

“FBI cannot simply come here and pick up Abba Kyari. You must go through the extradition process as established in the Extradition Act of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. You have to look at Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the extradition act.”

“In 1963, Chief Anthony Enahoro was being looked for by the Federal Government of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. They accused him alongside Obafemi Awolowo and others of committing a treasonable felony. Enahoro found his way to London through Ghana. He ran away.

“So, the Labour Party with their new head, Harold Wilson made it a big deal and using the media very heavily to clamour that Enahoro was not extradited to Nigeria.

“But the government of Harold Mcmillan who was the Minister was caught in between and in betwixt as to the respect for human rights of Anthony Enahoro and not to hurt Nigeria as a political deal. But at the end of the day, Enahoro was extradited to Nigeria and he was tried and jailed for 15 years.

“The Gowon regime released him and Awolowo and put them in key positions in government to drive the country’s progress. So, extradition, therefore, did not start today.”