Thirty-one lawyers have expressed interest in representing Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari, who has been suspended in connection with a $1.1 million scam involving a self-confessed fraudster, Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi.
Barrister Bappah Salisu, who spoke on behalf of a group of lawyers from the country’s 19 Northern states, revealed this in an Abuja statement on Wednesday, August 11.
The decision to provide free legal services to Mr Kyari was made in response to a recent call by the Coalition of Northern Groups for the preservation of his fundamental rights following an indictment by a court in the United States (US)of America.
According to him, the FBI’s attempt to extradite Kyari, a former Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team, to the US to face criminal charges was marred by several procedural lapses bordering on violations of international protocol.
“We would raise concerns about possible violations of Mr Kyari’s fundamental rights, which are enshrined in Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which essentially state that every individual shall have the right to liberty and to the security of his person, as well as the right to have his cause heard.”
“This includes the right to file an appeal with competent national organs against acts that violate his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations, and other instruments.”
Also read: Hushpuppi allegedly bribed Deputy Police Commissioner – FBI
“This includes the right to file an appeal with competent national organs against acts that violate his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by current conventions, laws, regulations, and customs.”
“The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal; the right to defence, including the right to be represented by counsel of his choice; and the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal,” he stated.
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