A Nigerian judge has rejected the federal government's request to extradite a suspended police chief to the United States to face fraud charges.

Commissioner Abba Kyari has denied any involvement in what an American indictment describes as an elaborate plan to defraud another Qatari businessman #39; one million dollars, orchestrated by a famous Nigerian fraudster known as “Hushpuppi.” Kyari was one of six people indicted last year under this alleged fraudulent scheme, according to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, Central District of California.

He is in prison awaiting trial on separate charges of criminal association, official corruption, and falsifying evidence after his arrested by the local drug control agency in February. On Monday, High Court Judge Inyang Ekwo said Kyari could not be extradited because of this trial in Nigeria and that handing him over to the United States would violate the country's extradition law.