Suspected Nigerian Internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi has been refused bail in the United States despite his lawyer’s insistence that his current job as an Instagram Celebrity pays the $10,000 monthly rent on his luxury Dubai flat.
Hushpuppi’s lawyers had applied for him to leave jail with a tracker and live with the uncle of his baby mama but United States prosecutors opposed the bail application. The National of the UAE reported that prosecutors said he could perpetrate crimes with a mere smartphone and an internet connection, as such, he posed too much of a flight risk.
While reacting to prosecutors’ argument, Hushpuppi’s lawyer, Gal Pissetzky said his client would lose too many things if he flees from the United States.
While defending his before a Chicago Judge through videolink, Gal said: “He is loved and respected. He is a celebrity.
“I don’t see the reason why he would want to ruin his credibility in the world and his status rather than stay here and face this allegation.
“Anywhere he goes, people will know. Having grown up very poor in Nigeria, Mr Abbas is now paid to pose with high-priced items such as Louis Vuitton bags that people would buy after seeing his posts on Instagram.
“He is an influencer. That’s a job today, as much as it is hard to imagine. That’s a full-time job.”
Judge Jeffrey Gilbert who streamed the proceedings from the prison’s video link refused Hushpuppi bail on grounds of him being a flight risk. Gilbert directed that he should still be remanded in custody pending when he is taken to a court in California.
