Cybercrime: 31 Northern lawyers to defend Kyari

By Asunmogejo Yusuf Olawale

Following the recent suspension of Nigeria’s Supercop, Abba Kyari, from the Nigerian Police Force, not fewer than 30 lawyers from the North have registered their interest in defending his integrity against his alleged participation in a $1.1 million scan with popular internet fraudster, Hushpuppi.

This was made known to the public on Wednesday in a statement made by Barrister Bappah Salisu, who spoke on behalf of the 31 legal practitioners from 19 Northern States.

According to the Barrister Salisu, the lawyers decided to summon the courage to protect the fundamental human rights of Kyari following a call by the Coalition of Northern Groups.

While speaking expressly on the conduct of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, in their move to extradite Kyari, the group of lawyers noted that the FBI did not follow due process, asserting that they breached international laws and protocols.

The statement reads that: “We would raise questions involving the possibility of breaches to Kyari’s fundamental rights entrenched in Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right which essentially state that every individual shall have the right to liberty and the security of his person and every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard.

“This comprises the right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations, and customs in force.

The group added that “the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal; the right to defense, including the right to be defended by counsel of his choice; the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal.”