The withdrawal of all police officers assigned to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been ordered by Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.

According to STEADY GIST, this directive was relayed through a police wireless communication.

The official document, referenced as “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/34,” states, “The IG has directed the removal of all law enforcement personnel attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“Kindly acknowledge and adhere strictly. Your attention to this matter is crucial.”

Following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) declaration of him as wanted in connection to an alleged N80.2bn money laundering case, the Nigerian Immigration Service had earlier placed the ex-governor on its watchlist.

Internet Fraudster Ramon Abass AKA Hushpuppi Has Reportedly Been Transferred to California for Prosecution 

Embattled Nigerian socialite and alleged fraudster, Ramon Abass AKA Hushpuppi, has been transferred to the Central District of California for prosecution.

The Instagram sensation was arraigned in a Chicago court on Monday and denied bail despite pleas by his lawyer.

On Tuesday, he was promptly transferred to the Central District of California for prosecution and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal in accordance to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f). 

Hushpuppi was denied bail in the United States in spite of his lawyer, Gal Pissetzky insisting that his job as an Instagram celebrity pays for his expenditures.

Hushpuppi’s lawyers, in his defense, revealed that his job as an Instagram socialite is what pays for his $10,000 monthly rent on his luxury Dubai flat. They had applied for him to leave jail with an electronic tag and live with the uncle of a woman with whom he has a child with, but US prosecutors opposed the bail application.

His lawyers 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.”

Hushpuppi and another cyber-heist suspect, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Mr. Woodberry were arrested in Dubai, where they lived, in June.

They were later taken to the US where they appeared in a Chicago court on 3 July.

Hushpuppi To send Back to Nigeria to face Alleged multiple fraud charges

It was said that plans are underway by the International Police (INTERPOL) Nigeria to extradite Instagram celebrity Raymond Igbalodely a.k.a. Hushpuppi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria to face alleged multiple fraud charges, The Nation learned on Friday.

The INTERPOL is also on the trail of other accomplices in the alleged fraud who are resident in Nigeria to bring them to justice.

Commissioner of Police (CP) INTERPOL, Garba Umar disclosed these to The Nation yesterday while confirming the arrest of Igbalodely whose real name is said to be Ramoni Igbalode.

He said: “It is true that Hushpuppi was arrested by the INTERPOL. We are currently working on bringing him to Nigeria to face charges of fraud.

“Some of the offenses were committed here in Nigeria and he has to answer for them. He is not alone in it; there are accomplices in the country who we are currently on their trail,” said the CP.

Hushpuppi, known for his reckless display of wealth on social media, was arrested three days ago for allegedly hacking into the United States (US) unemployed database and impersonating citizens qualified for unemployment funds.

He and his accomplices in Nigeria, Dubai and other countries allegedly defrauded the US of over $100 million meant for Native Americans in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nation reports that his arrest came three days after he posted a picture of his newly acquired 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan worth about N280 million, the latest addition to his fleet of exotic vehicles.

It was alleged that Hushpuppi was arrested alongside two of his friends after weeks of investigation by the US Secret Service, following the alarm raised in May about a crime ring of suspected Nigerians who broke into the personal information of citizens and used factitious unemployment claims to steal hundreds of millions of dollars reserved to help jobless American people.

The syndicate was alleged to have filed in so many names of Americans who were still working to various state unemployment offices and collected money from the system.

They were alleged to have used information stolen from first responders, government personnel, and school employees.

News Credit: The Nation.

Mother of Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, on Monday broke down in tears after a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi- Lagos remanded the up-and-coming artiste in prison.

Justice Nicholas Owoibo had remanded Marley in custody, following his prosecution at the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

EFCC had arraigned the artist on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged credit card fraud, on Monday.

Mother of Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, on Monday broke down in tears after a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi- Lagos remanded the up-and-coming artiste in prison.

Justice Nicholas Owoibo had remanded Marley in custody, following his prosecution at the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

EFCC had arraigned the artist on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged credit card fraud, on Monday.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Marley’s plea not withstanding, Justice Owoibo remanded the artist in prison until May 30 when his bail application would be heard.

Following the order by the court, Naira Marley’s mother broke down in tears.

Her sorrow increased when she saw operatives of the anti-graft agency hand over Marley to men of the Nigeria Prison Service for detention till May 30, 2019.