Chisom Umejiaku
The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
The appeal was made on Friday, August 1, in a statement issued by IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Dr. Duru Hezekiah, and made available to journalists in Abuja.
The Commission cited Kyari’s previous service and contributions to national security, urging the President to consider clemency on humanitarian grounds.
“While we recognize the gravity of the allegations, we believe the constitutional power of pardon should be applied in the interest of national healing and in recognition of past service,” the statement read in part.
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Kyari, once celebrated for leading crackdowns on high-profile criminal cases, has been in detention since 2022 following his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. He had earlier been linked to an international cyber fraud investigation.
As of press time, the Presidency had not responded to the request.