DCP Abba Kyari, the suspended former leader of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is encountering more problems as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has written to Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to seek an express approval from the AGF to confiscate properties, assets and bank accounts belonging to him.
According to reports, the NDLEA’s request was filed and dispatched to the office of the AGF recently, after Kyari’s arraignment by the drug bursting agency on March 7, with six other accused following their arrest for dealing in drugs and having connections with an international drug cartel.
If the AGF grants the request, Kyari’s assets and property that could be seized are cash and money in his bank accounts, houses (both residential and commercial), vehicles, real estate, hotels, personal effects like wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions.
While confirming the agency’s letter requesting the confiscation of Kyari’s assets and bank accounts, its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said it was a normal and regular procedure for the agency to make such s request.
He said: “It’s a normal procedure to seek approval for a no debit order on suspects’ bank accounts when suspicious transactions are noticed in such accounts.”
A senior officer of the NDLEA who talked under the condition of anonymity also confirmed the development by stating that under the NDLEA Act, the agency could just not seize a suspect’s property without getting the consent of the Attorney-General.
He said: “Under the NDLEA Act, the NDLEA cannot forfeit his assets unless based on the consent of the Attorney-General. The NDLEA wrote last week and the AGF is considering the request.”
