A US court has sentenced Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, a popular Nigerian socialite and internet sensation, to 11 years in prison.
Hushpuppi, who was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 and extradited to the United States on charges of internet fraud and money laundering, will serve only nine years in prison because he has already served two years in the United States.
He was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering with multiple people both inside and outside the United States.
Hushpuppi apologized to his family members for bringing them shame in a personal letter he wrote to the court narrating his source of wealth, criminal adventure, and regrets, and commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for doing a thorough job in bringing him to justice.
On September 19, Judge Otis Wright, who initially denied the defendant’s motion for a delay of judgment, delayed Hushpuppi’s sentencing to November 3.
He was sentenced to only 11 years in prison after pleading with Judge Otis Wright to temper justice with mercy and give him a shorter sentence after excelling in prison cleaning activities.
He will be deported to Nigeria once he has completed his prison sentence.