Hushpuppi Saga: Dabiri-Erewa Says Not All Successful Nigerians Are Fraudsters

By Akinwale Kasali

The arrest of Ramoni Igbalode, popularly known as Hushpuppi for alleged Fraud, and Six Nigerians who have been sanctioned by the United States of America Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged Fraud, the world has beamed its searchlight on Nigerians doing businesses abroad, with the mindset  that they are into fraudulent activities.

But Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, says it is a wrong mindset.Not upto a per cent of  Nigerians successful Nigerians  abroad  engage in fraudulent activities, she said.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this while reacting to a fraud allegation leveled against Hushpuppi.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had earlier announced that it was working with the FBI to trace the victims of Hushpuppi’s alleged scam.

“Nigeria’s most-wanted hacker, Ramoni Igbalode, alias Ray hushpuppi, recently arrested by the International Police and the FBI, has considerable cases of cybercrimes being investigated by the EFCC.

“The commission is engaging with the FBI in tracing victims of his fraudulent transactions and other fraudsters having direct involvement with him. Local cybercriminals with money laundering networks with him are also being investigated,” EFCC said in a statement.

However, reacting via Twitter, the NIDCOM boss wrote, “Allegations against Ramoni Igbalode aka Hushpuppi running into millions in fraud. I stress again, not a yardstick to judge Nigerians excelling abroad. One bad apple should indeed not spoil the whole bunch.”

Also, the Commission wrote, “We await EFCC’s further and thorough investigation as well as further updates on the case. We advise and urge Nigerians abroad to be law-abiding citizens, be good ambassadors, and not tarnish the image of the country.”

Hushpuppi was arrested on June 10, 2020 in the United Arab Emirates in connection with a $35m ventilator scam.