Suspected fraudster Ramon Abbas better known as Hushpuppi has been denied bail in the United States.
This comes in spite of his lawyer, Gal Pissetzky insisting that his client affords to pay $10,000 monthly rent on his luxury Dubai flat works working as an Instagram influencer.
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Hushpuppi appeared by video in a Chicago court on Thursday, where his lawyers applied for bail with the condition that he would be made to wear an electronic tag and live with the uncle of a woman with whom the Instagram star has a child with.
US prosecutors however opposed the bail application, saying he could commit crimes with just a smartphone and an internet connection, hence he poses too much flight risk.
Reacting to prosecutors’ argument, Pissetzky said his client had too much to lose if he flees from the United States.
He told a judge in Chicago by videolink;
He is loved and respected. He is a celebrity. I do not 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 is a job today, as much as it is hard to imagine. That is a full-time job.
The judge, Jeffrey Gilbert who watched the proceedings from a prison video link, denied Hushpuppi bail on grounds of him being a flight risk.
Gilbert ordered that the suspected Nigerian fraudster be remanded in custody until he is taken to a court in California.
He said;
You have got to be doing something to pay $10,000 for an apartment in Dubai.
Few days ago, Hushpuppi’s lawyer Gal Pissetzky, during an interview with Forbes maintained that his client is innocent of fraud charges levelled against him.
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The legal expert said his client is into businesses like real estate and social media influencing.
Pissetzky added that Hushpuppi has not in any way involved himself in scamming activities as believed.
