U.S. Bureau Of Prisons To Probe Internet Fraudster, Hushpuppi Over Viral Birthday Feast In Detention Facility

The United States Bureau of Prisons has announced an investigation into the activities of Nigerian convict Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence. The decision comes in response to a viral video that allegedly shows Abbas celebrating a birthday feast with others inside the reported detention facility at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

VerseNews reports that the prison facility, addressing the matter seriously, stated that its investigative department would lead the inquiry to verify the facts surrounding the viral video.

The video in question captured a celebration for Tunde Ednut’s birthday on January 22, 2024, where a voice, purportedly belonging to Hushpuppi, is heard mentioning the preparation of various foods like jollof rice, pasta, and soda drinks.

“Tunde Ednut, you can see that we are celebrating you in our own little way o,” said a voice which many Nigerians said belonged to Mr Abbas in the video that went viral on September 22.

“Fried rice is ready, Tunde Ednut birthday celebration. Jollof loading, pasta is here as you can see,” the voice continued as the person, who hid his face behind the camera, displayed a variety of delicacies on a white table.

The setting in the video, featuring a grey double bunk and a bed covered in white sheets, has fueled speculation that Abbas was enjoying a lavish celebration behind bars.

Notably, Tunde Ednut, a social media influencer and Hushpuppi’s ally was celebrating his birthday during the event, with fans and celebrities joining in both Nigeria and parts of the United States.

Reacting to the video, United States Bureau of Prisons said that the investigative department would take charge of the inquiry to ascertain the facts or lack thereof about the viral video.

“We take these matters seriously,” the prison facility said, adding that its investigative department would take charge of the inquiry to ascertain the facts— or lack thereof— about the viral video.

The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances and authenticity of the video, addressing concerns raised by the public and media analysis that suggest the celebration took place within the confines of the prison facility.

It was earlier reported that efforts made by Hushpuppi to reduce his 11-year sentence met a brick wall as the Appeals Court for the Ninth Circuit in Los Angeles, U.S. dismissed his application.

Abbas had appealed to the court for a review and reduced sentence, citing his behaviour during his stay in jail.

Abbas in 2022 was convicted for money laundering and a series of online scams in tens of millions of dollars.

However, after reappraising his chances of success, according to Peoples Gazette, he raised the motion to appeal the sentence. The motion was filed in November 2022, two weeks after Judge Otis Wright sent him to jail.

The convict had enrolled in prison educational courses and also taken an active role in cleaning prison facilities, becoming one of the correctional facility’s top toilet cleaners, in a bid to earn a lighter sentence.

Still, the appellate judges remained implacable in their decision to deny his appeal.

The judgment was made on January 19. It was announced by Molly Dwyer, the court’s clerk, on behalf of the appellate judges.

Olalekan Jacob Ponle popularly known as Mr. Woodberry, recently asked the United States Court of Appeals to reduce his eight-year jail term on the grounds that the sentence was wrongly calculated.

Woodberry, an internet fraudster and an ally of Hushpuppi, had pleaded guilty to count one of the eight counts brought against him in the US.

He further agreed to surrender $8 million in proceeds of wire fraud as well as luxury cars and watches to the foreign government.

Woodberry earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges in which he was accused of engaging in a fraudulent scheme known as Business Email Compromise (BEC).

He was arrested in Dubai on June 10, 2020, alongside Hushpuppi.

He was subsequently convicted in July 2023 for scamming individuals and businesses of millions of dollars.