2 weeks Ago By News Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/davido-comments-on-friendship-with-convicted-fraudster-hushpuppi/Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido has addressed his past association with Ramon Abbas, the convicted fraudster known as Hushpuppi, during a recent podcast interview.
The musician acknowledged their friendship but distanced himself from Abbas’s criminal activities, stating he was unaware of the latter’s involvement in transnational fraud schemes.“He was my friend. I just saw him around; I never really knew what he was doing,” Davido said.
The artist expressed sympathy for Abbas, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence in the U.S. for money laundering and fraud, while cautioning against glorifying crime.
“My prayers go out to him...
He lived a good life, but being locked up isn’t worth it,” he added.Davido also referenced Nigeria’s economic challenges as a potential factor driving some toward illicit activities. “There’s a kind of hardship where people think, ‘Let me ball for two years, then I’m good,’” he remarked, alluding to societal pressures amid widespread poverty.
Abbas, once a social media personality flaunting luxury cars and designer goods, was arrested in Dubai in 2020 and extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder millions stolen through cybercrimes.
U.S. authorities noted his schemes targeted individuals and institutions globally, including a Maldivian bank and a Qatari businessperson.
In 2022, a California court ordered him to pay $1.7 million in restitution alongside his prison term.The case has drawn attention to Nigeria’s struggle with cybercrime, which costs global economies billions annually.
While Davido avoided justifying Abbas’s actions, his comments reflect broader debates about wealth disparity and ethical accountability in a country where nearly 40% live below the poverty line.Davido’s remarks coincide with ongoing scrutiny of celebrity ties to figures linked to illicit wealth. His nuanced stance balancing personal loyalty with cautious condemnation highlights the complex interplay between Nigeria’s entertainment industry and its underground economy.
Legal experts emphasize that Abbas’s prosecution, involving international collaboration, signals heightened global efforts to combat cybercrime networks. Meanwhile, the government continues to face calls for systemic reforms to address corruption and economic inequality, challenges that persist despite high-profile enforcement actions. News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.
com.gh/davido-comments-on-friendship-with-convicted-fraudster-hushpuppi/.
