Crime
Hushpuppi pleads guilty to money laundering, risks 20 years’ imprisonment
Hushpuppi, the embattled Nigerian socialite, has agreed to plead guilty to the money laundering charge against him.
Hushpuppi, who is known for his luxury lifestyle, was arrested in the UAE in June 2020 alongside 11 of his associates over allegations bordering on hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft.
The social media figure’s extradition to the US had followed after the UAE police detailed his arrest in a special operation dubbed ‘Fox Hunt 2’ where he was accused of defrauding 1.9 million victims to the tune of N168 billion.
Hushpuppi, whose real name is Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, was arraigned and detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago ahead of his trial.
A partly redacted plea agreement document in the cyber fraud case against him surfaced online yesterday.
In the court file signed by Loius Shapiro, Hushpuppi’s lawyer, on behalf of the defendant, Hushpuppi agreed to give up the right to indictment by a grand jury and plead guilty to count two of the charges “Case No. 2:20-CR-00322-ODW.”
The referenced court case, it is understood, charges Hushpuppi with “conspiracy to engage in money laundering.”
Added the Ramon Abbas/Hushpuppi plea agreement to @courtlistener / @RECAPtheLaw, for interested folks (and because there's been a lot of bad information around this case from the beginning): https://t.co/uHJlir4rD4
— Evan Ratliff (@ev_rat) July 28, 2021
For a person to be deemed guilty of the crime, the document read, “there was an agreement between two or more persons to conduct a financial transaction involving property that represented the proceeds of wire fraud.”
It also added that the defendant must have known that the funds were “proceeds of some form of unlawful activity” and the transaction was designed “to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds.”
Hushpuppi risks a statutory maximum of 20 years imprisonment on agreeing to violate the USC, Section 1956 (h).
“The defendant understands that the statutory maximum sentence that the Court can impose for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h), as charged in the Information, is: 20 years imprisonment,” the file read.
“…a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest; and a mandatory special assessment of $100.
“Defendant understands that defendant will be required to pay full restitution to the victim(s) of the offense to which defendant is pleading guilty.
“Defendant agrees that the court may order restitution to persons other than the victim(s) of the offenses to which defendant is pleading guilty and in amounts greater than those alleged in the count.”
The date of the plea hearing is however yet to be known.
Crime
LASEPA arrests 94 suspected criminals in midnight raid
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has arrested 94 suspected criminals during a midnight operation in the Agege area of Lagos state.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources, said LASEPA conducted the raid along the rail-track from Pen-Cinema under bridge to Fagba Junction.
“The area was raided in response to complaints from residents, commuters and concerned citizens, on the nefarious activities of illegal squatters, miscreants and suspected criminal elements along rail-track corridors,” he stated.
He noted that the operation began at about 2:30 am and spanned more than five kilometres, with shanties and illegal structures dismantled.
“94 suspects were apprehended during the midnight operation and locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, charm as well as a jack knife were recovered,” he added.
Wahab said the suspects would be charged to court accordingly.
Crime
U.S. marshals offer $25,000 reward for capture of Nigerian fugitive, Olalekan Olawusi
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian national wanted since 2017 for first-degree murder and severe child abuse charges in Rhode Island.
According to the statement as seen by Nairametrics, Olawusi is considered one of the USMS’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives and is believed to have fled to Nigeria, where he may be receiving assistance from family members.
According to the USMS, Olawusi is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily harm on a child.
Additionally, he is wanted for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
“The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is requesting assistance in locating Olalekan Olawusi. Olawusi is wanted in Rhode Island for first degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child. He is also wanted for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution,”
Olawusi’s crimes are severe, and his evasion from prosecution necessitates this public appeal for assistance. The agency noted that Olawusi has been labelled a flight risk and is considered armed and dangerous.
The USMS has offered a reward of $25,000 for credible information leading to Olawusi’s arrest. Officials caution the public not to approach or attempt to apprehend him due to the dangers associated with his capture.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local U.S. Marshals Service District Office, call the USMS Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a tip through the USMS Tips platform.
The fugitive’s background and physical description
- Name and aliases are listed as Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, also known as Olekun Olawusi.
- His date of birth is July 15, 1976. Olawusi is described as a male with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 185 lbs and standing at 5’8″.
- His last known location was Providence, Rhode Island, U.S., and he is believed to have suspected ties in Nigeria.
Notice to law enforcement
- Before proceeding with an arrest, law enforcement officers are instructed to verify the warrant through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
- If Olawusi is apprehended or his location is determined, officers are directed to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office, the American Embassy or Consulate, or to call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. Tips can also be submitted through the U.S. Marshals Service Tips platform.
- USMS officials stress the need for public cooperation in locating Olawusi.
- The authorities urge anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to report it immediately, supporting efforts to deliver justice.
Crime
YouTuber Johnny Somali faces 10-yr prison sentence for kissing statue in South Korea
American YouTuber Johnny Somali has faced widespread criticism after a controversial video showed him kissing and posing with a statue dedicated to Korean women who were victims of sexual slavery during Japan’s occupation of Korea.
Somali’s actions, captured during his visit to the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, have ignited anger among Koreans and beyond.
In a video posted on October 9, the YouTuber was seen kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, and performing a dance in front of the memorial.
The statue honors tens of thousands of young Korean women who were subjected to forced sexual slavery by the Japanese military from 1910 to 1945.
According to The Korea Times, Somali expressed remorse for his actions in a video released by YouTube channel Jcompany on Thursday.
Standing beside the statue, he bowed and offered an apology to the Korean people: “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.”
Johnny Somali admitted that he had intended the stunt as entertainment for his American audience but now recognized his actions as disrespectful.
He concluded his apology in Korean, adding, “I’m truly sorry.”
The incident has spurred ongoing criticism, with many Koreans and others voicing their disapproval over what they see as a profound lack of cultural sensitivity and respect.
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