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Abba Kyari: Nigerian ‘super cop’ arrested in drug cartel case

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A highly decorated police officer in Nigeria has been arrested following accusations he belongs to an international drugs cartel, police say.

Abba Kyari, already suspended for allegedly helping self-avowed fraudster Hushpuppi to launder his money in the US, is now accused in a cocaine plot.

Officials say Mr Kyari asked a colleague to help him siphon off part of a cocaine haul.

They say he was caught on camera handing over $61,400 (£45,400) in cash.

He has not yet commented on the allegations.

Mr Kyari’s arrest came hours after Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) declared him a wanted man, accusing him of being “a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline”.

He was arrested on Monday along with four other officers – Sunday Ubuah, Bawa James, Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu – following a “high-level discreet” investigation, a police statement said. It added that one other officer – John Umoru – remained “at large”.

As part of its investigations, Nigerian police also said a number of anti-drugs officers at the international airport of the south-eastern city of Enugu were found to be “on the payroll” of the same cartel Mr Kyari is accused of working for.

One-time ‘super cop’

Mr Kyari, 46, once had a reputation of being a “super cop” who investigated big criminal cases.

He received a presidential medal of courage from Mr Buhari in 2016 after his team rescued three kidnapped schoolgirls in Lagos.

He was also honoured by the Lagos state government, winning the top award for gallantry three years in a row between 2011 and 2013, and he was known for fraternising with politicians and celebrities.

But he was suspended from the force in August last year after the US instituted indictment proceedings against him, following allegations that he facilitated payments to Nigerian police personnel from Instagram celebrity Hushpuppi – whose real name is Ramon Abbas.

Hushpuppi – who had 2.4 million followers on Instagram – pleaded guilty to money laundering in the US after being extradited from Dubai last year.

The alleged plot

The NDLEA accused Mr Kyari of propositioning the unnamed police officer last month, by allegedly claiming that he and his team had intercepted and arrested traffickers entering Nigeria from Ethiopia with 25kg of cocaine.

The drug enforcement agency said it then gave the “green light” to its officer to play along, and alleged that Mr Kyari plotted to steal 15kg of the cocaine haul located in Enugu and leave behind a “dummy” weighing the same amount.

In the same statement published on Monday, the agency also accused Mr Kyari of having asked the undercover NDLEA officer “to persuade men of the FCT [Federal Capital Territory] Command to play along as well”.

The NDLEA alleges Mr Kyari was subsequently filmed handing over $61,400 – the promised proceeds from the sale of 5kg of cocaine – to the undercover officer whose car had been rigged with video and sound recorders.

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Houston

8th Annual Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival, Nigerian Exhibit Set to Takeover Downtown Houston

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July 25, 2024

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Houston, Texas – July 22, 2024 – The 8th annual Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival is set to light up Downtown Houston with unapologetic fashions, rich cultural displays, and lively masquerade performances on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This highly anticipated event celebrates Nigeria’s diverse heritage and contributions to the cultural landscape of Houston.

The festivities will commence with a parade through the streets of Downtown Houston near the Toyota Center, featuring traditional Nigerian attire, music, and dance. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Nigeria’s rich cultural traditions at the festival near Root Memorial Square, enjoying a variety of activities, including traditional dance performances, music, art exhibits, and West African cuisine.

This year brings an exciting addition to the celebration! The Nigerian Exhibit at Houston City Hall is proudly presented in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs under the theme “Feels Like Home”, highlighting the city’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and unity. This exhibit will be open to the public from October 21, 2024 to January 3, 2025, showcasing Nigeria’s history, art, and cultural milestones.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs to bring the Nigerian Exhibit to Houston City Hall,” said Jane Brown, Founder of Culturally Naija. “This exhibit, alongside our annual parade and festival, offers a wonderful opportunity for Houstonians to experience and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.”

Event Details:
Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival:
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Downtown Houston (1400 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77002

Nigerian Exhibit at Houston City Hall/City Hall Annex:
Date: October 21, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

The Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and preserving Nigerian culture in Houston. The event is organized under the aegis collaboration by Culturally Naija and WeLead, Inc.

For more information about the event, please visit www.nigeriaculturalparade.com or follow the event on social media.

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Education

Nigerian Appointed First Female Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

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2 weeks ago

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July 14, 2024

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Nigerian, Sandie Okoro OBE has been appointed by the University of  Birmingham as its new Chancellor. With her appointment, she becomes the first female to be appointed chancellor by the university since its establishment over 100 years ago.

Okoro, a lawyer and diversity expert is currently the Group General Counsel of Standard Chartered where she leads the Bank’s Legal, Group Corporate Secretariat, and Shared Investigative Services functions.

Okoro will succeed Lord Bilimoria of Chelse CBE who will step down after 10 years in the role on July 10.

Speaking on her appointment, she said:

I am truly honoured and delighted to be appointed Chancellor. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to give a little something back to the amazing University that has given so very much to me and my family.

“The wonderful University of  Birmingham is the alma mater to three generations of the Okoros, my mum, me and my son. So my connection to it is very special indeed. I have followed the University’s outstanding progress very closely since my days there as a student on a full grant back in the 1980s – its dedication to impactful research, its focus on creating an inclusive environment for talented, minority students and educational excellence are themes very close to my heart.

Okoro, an alumna of the University of Birmingham is a graduate of Law and Politics qualifying as a barrister at the City, University of London. She has held roles as Head of Legal for Corporate Services at Schroders, Global General Counsel at Barings, and General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management. Okoro was also Senior Vice-President and General Counsel, and Vice-President for Compliance, for the World Bank Group.

She is a 2024 officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and an Honorary Bencher of the Middle Temple.

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Houston

Hurricane Beryl: Wazobia postpones family fanfare slated for this weekend  

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2 weeks ago

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July 14, 2024

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As Houston slowly struggles to recover after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power, the Wazobia Wazobia African Market has postponed its annual family fanfare, set to take place on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

The deadly storm slammed into Texas early Monday, knocking out power to nearly 3 million homes and businesses, unleashing heavy rain, and killing at least 11 people before it weakened to a tropical depression.

Mr. Tunde Fasina, the owner of Wazobia, said that a new date for this event will be announced. “While we sympathize and pray for all those affected by this storm, we wish everyone a safe recovery and will announce a new date for this event,” he said.

The Wazobia family fanfare and Customer Appreciation event has become a beloved summer tradition, offering a diverse range of activities for both adults and children to enjoy. The festivities include a variety of games, live Afrobeat music, and a dedicated kid’s zone to keep the whole family entertained.

Established on June 18, 2013, Wazobia African Market has quickly become the premier African grocery store in Houston. The store is committed to promoting economic development, fostering community connections, and providing authentic products from various African cultures.

This free event will be held at the George Bush Park Pavilions located at 16756 Westheimer Pkwy, Houston, TX 77082. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day of celebration and appreciation!

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