APC Calls For Investigation Into Criminal Conspiracy Linking Hushpuppi With PDP Leadership

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies to investigate reports of the criminal conspiracy linking the top echelon of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, also known as, “Ray Hushpuppi” who is facing criminal charges in the US for “conspiring to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from Business Email Compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams, including schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club”.

Hushpuppi who was recently arrested along with associate(s) by Police in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and extradited to the US, is “one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars,” US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed in a statement by the Justice Department of the US Attorney’s Office for Central District of California.

If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Hushpuppi would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the party reckoned that the EFCC had already declared Hushpuppi wanted but stressed that the anti-graft agency, NFIU and other sister agencies must investigate money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international criminal ring.

“That the PDP leadership turned Dubai into their “Strategic” meeting place ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and “Hushpuppi’s” affinity with the PDP leadership is not mere coincidence,” said the APC.

“At different times, “Hushpuppi” was been photographed in Dubai meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Dino Melaye among other PDP stalwarts.”

MERIDIAN SPY also reported weeks ago, despite the controversy surrounding the self-acclaimed Instagram influencer, Senator Melaye shared a post with Hushpuppi, and wrote on his official Twitter handle, “the company you keep is not always a reflection of who you are.”

The ruling party also challenge the PDP leadership to reveal the nature of its top members’ relationship and the kind of services in particular rendered to them by the arrested Hushpuppi.

“While relevant authorities investigate the nature of their relationship and business partnership, we also challenge the PDP leadership to do same by opening up on the nature of the relationship, particularly the kind of services the arrested “Hushpuppi” provided them,” the APC added.

“In the leadup to the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, we renew our call against monetised elections and vote buying schemes which the PDP has serially deployed in elections.

“We call on relevant authorities to up their guard to prevent this practices that threaten the sanctity of our elections. The people’s will and votes should determine elections, not illicit money used to buy votes.”

According to statement by the US Justice Department, Hushpuppi who made his initial U.S. court appearance on Friday morning in Chicago, is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks.