Nigerian Instagram personality Ramon Abbas, widely known as Hushpuppi, appeared before a court in California and formally pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and other related crimes.
The trial for the 37-year-old, who gained fame for displaying his lavish lifestyle online, was set to begin on October 13, 2020, before Judge Otis D. Wright II at 9 a.m. in Los Angeles.
Arrest and Extradition
- Arrest: Hushpuppi was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 by UAE police collaborating with the FBI.
- Allegations: According to an FBI affidavit, he allegedly led a transnational criminal group involved in hacking, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, and money laundering, with victims in the U.S. losing hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Extradition: In July 2020, he and alleged co-conspirator Olalekan Ponle (Woodberry) were extradited to Chicago. After the court determined it lacked jurisdiction, Hushpuppi was transferred to Los Angeles, where he has been held in federal custody since late July.
Legal Strategy
After his first court appearance on August 17, 2020, Hushpuppi officially pleaded not guilty and waived his right to be prosecuted by a grand jury indictment, instead opting for a prosecution by complaint – a statement of facts from law enforcement.
- Legal Team: He was represented by attorney Vicki Podberesky, supported by Chicago-based attorney Gal Pissetzky, who was allowed to join the case pro hac vice.
- Potential Sentence: If convicted of the charges, Mr. Abbas faced a maximum of 20 years in a U.S. federal prison.
