Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, has narrated his encounter with alleged international fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi.
On his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Kyari, a leader of the Inspector-General of Police’ Intelligence Response Team, said Hushpuppi called his office some two years ago and reported a death threat from someone.
The cop said the suspect who was later identified as Chibuzo Vincent was arrested but released after investigations revealed that “they are long time friends who have money issues between them”.
Kyari also said he did not receive any money from Hushpuppi
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the United States District Court for the Central District of California said Hushpuppi used Kyari, to arrest and jail a co-conspirator, Vincent, after the latter threatened to expose the $1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
Hushpuppi, 37, in a plea agreement document he personally signed, pleaded guilty to the charges including money laundering, wire fraud, felony amongst others. He risks 20 years’ imprisonment and other penalties when convicted.
According to the indictment by the court, Hushpuppi allegedly conspired with five others to defraud the businessperson whose name was withheld by claiming to be consultants and bankers who could facilitate a loan to finance the construction of a school in Qatar.
Hushpuppi worked with some of his partners in crime including 28-year-old Abdulrahman Juma from Kenya, and 40-year-old Chibuzo Vincent from Nigeria. Other are Yusuf Anifowoshe, 26; Rukayat Fashola, 28; and Bolatito Agbabiaka, 34.
However, Hushpuppi allegedly hunted Vincent after a dispute broke out among the team and after the latter threatened to expose the fraud to the Qatari businessman.
“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” the statement partly read.
Hushpuppi is known to have flaunted his luxury lifestyle in private jets with exotic wines and expensive wristwatches. His social media handles were replete with photos of his ostentatious lifestyle before his arrest last year June in Dubai and extradited to the US where he is being prosecuted for money laundering and internet fraud-related charged.
Details later…
