Crime
Police chief, Kyari abandons office, pays Hushpuppi a courtesy visit in Dubai
More facts have emerged in the ongoing trial of Nigeria’s serial Internet fraudster, Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, and his secret relationship with a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in court documents, Kyari abandoned his duties in Nigeria sometime in 2019 and flew to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to “enjoy a good time” with Hushpuppi, who lived at Palazzo Versace in the Emirati commercial capital.
The September 2019 trip was only an episode of a mutually-beneficial cozy affair between Kyari and Abbas that was uncovered by the American authorities as part of their ongoing prosecution of Abbas for a multimillion-dollar internet fraud.
Abbas pleaded guilty this week after his legal representatives successfully negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors in Central California, court documents said.
He faces up to 20 years in jail at sentencing in the coming weeks.
He will also forfeit some of his plunder from years of online fraud and pay restitution to some of his victims, court filings said.
Additional documents seen by Peoples Gazette showed that Kyari in 2019 travelled to Dubai to enjoy a good time with Hushpuppi.
Abbas “sent a car and driver to drive” Kyari around “during that trip,” FBI unsealed indictment said.
Also during the trip, Kyari bragged to Abbas about some of his so-called crime-busting activities in Nigeria, to which Abbas responded by playing allegiance to the police chief.
“Am really happy to be your boy,” Hushpuppi told Kyari in an intercepted message. “I promise to be a good boy to you sir.”
Bodex Blog had earlier reported that Hushpuppi narrated how he bribed bribes To Kyari.
According to the US Department of Justice, a criminal complaint initiated the prosecution of Hushpuppi in February as court documents ordered unsealed showed that Abbas, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty on April 20.
It had been reported that officials said in court filings that Abbas disclosed during interrogation that he paid bribes to Nigeria’s police chief, Kyari, to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1million dupe of a Qatari businessperson.
Abbas had asked Kyari to arrest and jail a fellow fraudster Kelly Chibuzor Vincent after both were locked in a dispute presumably over how to share the $1.1million loot received from the Qatari businessperson.
Vincent subsequently contacted the victim and informed them that they were being scammed by a syndicate involving him and Abbas.
This elicited anger from Abbas, who contacted Kyari to arrest and jail his rival over the dispute. Abbas said Kyari sent pictures of Vincent in jail and subsequently sent his bank account number to Abbas to which a wire transfer should be made having done a good job as sent by Abbas.
“Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria.
“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,” U.S. Justice department said in a statement.
Crime
Police arrest three suspects for stealing phones from accident victims in Lagos
The Lagos police command says its operatives have arrested three suspects for allegedly stealing phones from accident victims in Ikeja.
In a post on its X page on Thursday, the command said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, a few meters away from the accident scene while trying to escape with the phones.
The command said men of the rapid response squad (RRS) assisted the accident victims to the hospital.
“The agency arrested these suspects—Isaiah Adegbenro, 38; Edet Johnson, 30; and Efe Sowemimo, 28—on Wednesday,” the post reads.
“The suspects were apprehended a few metres away from the accident point while trying to escape with the phones.
“The accident victims were heading towards Ikeja in a red Toyota Camry 2010 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a road divider in front of Adeyemi Bero end of Governor Road, Alausa, Ikeja.
“The suspects, who were close to the scene when the accident happened, rather than assist the driver and the occupants out of the badly damaged vehicle, were ransacking the victims’ pockets and vehicle.
“Stolen from the accident’s victims were an iPhone 15, valued at N1,300,00.00, and an iPhone 12 worth N620,000.00.
The police added that the suspects made significant confessions and will face court charges as directed by Shola Jejeloye, the RRS commander.
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.
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