Ripples over the arraignment of social media celebrity, Raymond Abass, aka Hushpuppi, in the United States, took a different turn, yesterday, as All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, tackled each other over alleged close relationship with the suspected internet fraudster.
The APC had accused PDP chieftains, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Sen Dino Melaye of having a close relationship with Hushpuppi, who was accused of defrauding no fewer than two million people to the tune of N168 billion.
In a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, APC asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate alleged money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the arrested suspected cyber fraudster.
The statement reads: “Reports of the criminal conspiracy linking the top echelon of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas also known as ‘Ray Hushpuppi’ who was recently arrested along with associate(s) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States of America to face trial over cyber-enabled fraud and Business Email Compromise BEC schemes should be a matter of serious interest to relevant authorities in Nigeria”.
“We note that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has already declared the arraigned Instagram celebrity wanted over fraud allegations. However, the EFCC, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies must investigate money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international criminal ring”.
The statement ended with, “At different times, Hushpuppi was been photographed in Dubai meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senator Dino Melaye among other PDP stalwarts.”
Rattled by the statement, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Diran Odeyemi, berated APC, saying it owed Nigerians and the US authorities more explanations on the matter.
The PDP response came on the heels of similar remarks by Atiku and Saraki, who accused APC of politicising an issue that has brought international embarrassment to Nigeria.
The duo berated the party for choosing to speak now instead of when the suspected fraudster was flaunting the proceeds of the alleged theft.
They said it was wrong for the APC to have interpreted taking photographs with someone as having a close relationship with that person.
Meanwhile, a retired envoy, Ambassador Ogbole Ode, said the arrest has increased the erroneous belief that Nigeria is a nation of scammers, saying it was wrong for a political leader to be identified with Hushpuppi.
However, the PDP, in its statement, said: “The APC should assist the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, to establish the relationship they are talking about. When has it become a crime for people to be photographed together? And since it appears they know more than other Nigerians, they should speak up now without delay”.
The statement continued, “Is this a plot to divert attention from the mindless killings going on across the country under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari? What has the ruling party to say about its mismanagement of the economy which has brought about untold hardship in the country? Have they delivered their promise to secure Nigerians and their properties, revamp the economy and fight corruption to a standstill? These are the questions they should provide answers to if they have a reckoning with their conscience.’’
On his part, Atiku through his media aide, Paul Ibe, wondered how a photograph taken at a public event with Hushpuppi would suddenly become a source of curiosity for the APC.
In his verified Twitter Handle, Mr. Ibe wrote: “It is curious that the APC is mischievously trying to link Atiku Abubakar to the alleged fraudster, Ramon Abbas, A.K.A, Hushpuppi simply because he was photographed with Atiku at an event where many Nigerians attended.”
In another statement, he said: “We would advise the APC and Mr. Nabena to be very mindful of such senseless statements in the future especially as the case under reference is a subject of litigation in another country”.
He concluded with “Had they been more sensitive, they would have come to terms with the reality that the case is a national embarrassment – not something to cheer about for any political blackmail.”
This series of allegations got trending on social media, as Nigerians took to Twitter to air their own opinions.
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