Suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Ray Hushpuppi, has told American authorities he bribed a top police officer in Nigeria to keep one of his numerous schemes alive.
Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner, is the commander of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team and highly regarded in security circles.
He was recently honoured by the House of Representatives for his hard work and outstanding performance.
However, a federal grand jury indictment unsealed in the United States of America this week alleges that he was in bed with Hushpuppi, a flashy internet fraudster arrested in Dubai last year.
Court documents say Hushpuppi arranged for Kyari to have one Kelly Chibuzo Vincent arrested following a conflict over an ongoing scam the two were running.
The two fraudsters conspired with others to steal more than $1.1 million from a businessperson attempting to finance the construction of a school for children in Qatar.
A dispute between the duo forced Vincent to contact the victim to expose the fraud, prompting his partner to take him out with a high-ranking law enforcement officer in Nigeria.
According to the affidavit, Kyari carried out the request and sent Hushpuppi photographs of an imprisoned Vincent, as well as account details for his payment.
A total of six people, including Hushpuppi, Kyari, and Vincent, were indicted for conspiracy to fraudulently obtain and launder money.
Other co-conspirators indicted are Abdulrahman Juma, Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola, and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka.
Court filings made public this week show Hushpuppi has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering with the schemes causing more than $24 million in losses.
He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when he's sentenced later by a Los Angeles court.