By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Nigerians have reacted to the extradition of alleged criminal mastermind Raymond Igbalode Abbas, known as ‘Hushpuppi’ and accomplice Woodberry from the United Arab Emirates to the United States.
This was revealed in a statement by the Dubai Police on Thursday in which the US Federal Bureau of Investigations extended its gratitude to the UAE crime watchdog for its role in apprehending and extraditing ‘Hushpuppi’.
In June, the Dubai Police had arrested Hushpuppi, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as ‘Woodberry’, and ten others in an operation tagged ‘Fox Hunt’.
Read also: Dubai Police: Why We Arrested Instagram Billionaire, Hushpuppi, Real Name, Age Revealed
The suspects were accused of “committing crimes outside the UAE, including money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonating, scamming individuals, banking fraud and identity theft,” the Dubai Police said.
Before his arrest, Hushpuppi had gained fame on social media for his outlandish display of wealth.
The director of Dubai CID, Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf said the raid that led to his arrest resulted in the confiscation of incriminating documents of a planned fraud on a global scale worth AED 1.6 billion ($ 435 million).
“The team also seized more than AED 150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an estimated value of AED 25 million ($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21 computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims”, he said.
After conducting further investigations and analysing confiscated electronic devices, Dubai Police investigators uncovered sensitive information mined by the suspects on individuals and companies overseas including bank accounts and fake credit cards as well as documents and files condemning the gangs’ illegal activities, the Dubai Police said.
Read also: #Hushpuppi Opens Up On Love Life, Kids As He Gets New Lawyer
Here are some reactions:
Dubai Police handed over Hushpuppi’s case to the FBI
It is finished ! @ Dehkunle
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel @Tussy22Prov: 20: 17
Praise the Lord! (was scared they would be extradited to naija).@Obaf1
Honestly i am happy he isn’t coming to Nigeria@empressugochi
End of discussion. They may likely not come back again. If its small & legit its better.@Governor
Some people were saying that FBI will extradite them to Nigeria.I told them they don’t know FBI history.@ValFbiMary
Chai…. They (US) will turn them to ‘Silentpuppi’ and ‘Jailberry’.@DaddyPEEPScales
Dubai police has extradited Hushpuppi and Woodberry to the United States.
E don finish! https://t.co/P7WwkKBtsZ @Instablog9ja
FBI Director – Christopher Wray appreaciates Dubai police for the arrest and extradition of – Hushpuppi and – Woodberry to the US. https://t.co/8MjcZ1LEmT @Postsubman
