NEWS
Hushpuppi finally faces last Trial
By Funmilayo Olusanya
Socialite Ramon Abbas, a.k.a Hushpupi, has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison after he was convicted of laundering earnings from a school finance scam, business email hack, and other fraudulent cyber operations, by the United States District Court sitting at the Central District of California on Monday.
The Instagram celebrity was also ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7m in restitution to two fraud victims, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Tuesday.
Justice Otis Wright in his ruling brought an end to Hushpuppi’s trial, which had been ongoing since his arrest in June 2020 at a hotel flat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Assistant Director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Office, Don Alway, in the statement, described Hushpuppi as “one of the most prolific money launderers in the world.”
Hushpuppi was extradited to the United States on July 3.
He was arrested for defrauding over 1.9 million people, majority of whom were Americans.
He also pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.
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An online news platform, Premium Times, reported that Hushpuppi’s wife, Regina Manneh, and two Imams, wrote separately from Lagos and Borno states to the US district court to beg for leniency.
According to the platform, Hushpuppi was referred to in the letter as “a frequent donator” to the mosque by Rasaq Olopede, the imam of Lagos’ Imisi-Oluwa Mosque.
In another letter, Hushpuppi received praise from Hudu Abdulrasak of Madrasatul Ahlul-Bait Islamiya in Maiduguri, Borno State, for his charitable deeds for widows and orphans.
On November 4, letters were submitted to the US District Court in support of the convicted person’s prior request for a lenient punishment.
Biztellers gathered that Hushpuppi was still being held in the Metropolitan Detention Centre, from where he would be moved to a federal prison.
The Director of Media Relations, United States Attorney’s Office, Thom Mrozek, while responding to an email from our correspondent on Tuesday, said, “He probably has not been transferred to a prison yet.
He will serve his sentence in a federal prison somewhere in the United States. The specific facility will be determined by the U. S. Bureau of Prisons, which administers those facilities and has the exclusive authority to determine where a prisoner will be housed.”
A rights lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, said Abbas deserved life jail.
He said, “The conviction of Abass shows how nations elsewhere take the issue of cybercrime as a national security issue, which interrogates the economic interests of the state.
“I wish he had been sentenced to life. We don’t often consider the effects of cybercrime on victims – people who lose their life’s financial worth.”
Festus Ogun, another attorney, said that the punishment was appropriate for the crime and that the nation’s justice system may benefit from it.
NEWS
Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To ₦970 per Litre For Marketers
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to ₦970 per litre for oil marketers.
This new price, effective immediately, marks a ₦20 decrease from the refinery’s previous ex-depot price of ₦990 per litre, which was set earlier this month.
In a statement released on Sunday, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, explained that the price reduction is a way for the company to express its appreciation to Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a reality.
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“This decision is our way of thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true,” Chiejina said.
The statement also highlighted the refinery’s gratitude towards the Nigerian government, acknowledging the role of government measures in supporting domestic businesses.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support, as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement read.
Despite the price cut, the refinery reassured consumers that there would be no compromise on the quality of its products. “While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable,” the statement added.
The company also committed to ramping up production to meet domestic fuel consumption and alleviate concerns over potential supply shortages.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply,” the statement concluded.
The price reduction is expected to save marketers approximately ₦20 per litre on purchases from the refinery’s Lekki-based plant.
NEWS
I Am Just A Content Creator – Simon Ekpa Denies Biafran Leadership Role
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent and a controversial figure in the Biafran separatist movement, has dismissed his self-styled title of “Prime Minister of Biafra” as inconsequential.
Speaking during legal proceedings at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, Ekpa stated, “I am just a content creator; the issue of Prime Minister of Biafra is not serious.”
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Ekpa’s statement comes in the wake of his arrest by Finnish authorities on charges related to incitement of terrorism.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has accused Ekpa of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
The arrest stems from an incident in Lahti on August 23, 2021, and officials are also seeking the detention of four other suspects linked to the case.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the NBI said in a statement.
Ekpa, who has used his social media platforms to advocate for Biafran independence, has been a divisive figure in Nigeria’s southeast region.
His rhetoric and actions, including calls for economic shutdowns through “sit-at-home” orders, have been linked to widespread unrest and disruptions in the region.
NEWS
National Assembly In Top Gear For Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Presentation
The National Assembly management team, led by Clerk Sani Magaji Tambawal, has ramped up efforts to ensure a seamless presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, scheduled for a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, is regarded as a significant moment in Nigeria’s legislative calendar.
Preparations include a thorough inspection of the assembly chambers to ensure all facilities are fully functional.
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Deputy Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, who is overseeing the technical arrangements, confirmed that key systems, including microphones, sound equipment, and other audio-visual tools, have been tested to ensure smooth communication during the session.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the National Assembly is fully prepared to receive Mr. President and provide a conducive environment for this significant moment in our democratic process,” Ogunlana stated.
Seating arrangements are also being finalized to accommodate lawmakers, government officials, and other dignitaries expected at the session.
Security measures are being reviewed in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of all attendees. Meanwhile, press accreditation is being managed to facilitate effective media coverage.
The 2025 budget presentation is expected to highlight the government’s economic priorities while reinforcing the partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As the session approaches, the National Assembly has expressed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s democratic values and providing a platform for transparent governance.