Alleged Nigerian fraudster Ramon Abbas popularly known as Hushpuppi has been denied bail by a judge in the United States.
Hushpuppi’s lawyers had applied for him to leave jail with an electronic tag and live with the uncle of a woman he has a child with, but US prosecutors opposed the bail application.
The Instagram celebrity was denied bail because prosecutors are of the opinion that he could commit crimes with just a smartphone and an internet connection, and that he posed too much of a flight risk.
Gal Pissetzky, Hushpuppi’s lawyer insisted that Hushpuppi should be granted bail because he would not flee the country.
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He 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.”
However, the Judge, Jeffrey Gilbert denied Hushpuppi’s bail on grounds of him being a flight risk. He ordered that the alleged fraudster be remanded in custody until he is taken to a court in California.