American Court Denies Bail To Hushpuppi

Feisty efforts by Gal Pissetzky, lawyer to Nigerian social media celebrity, Ramon Igbalode Abass, popularly called Hushpuppi, to get a bail for his client hit a snag as the presiding judge refused his argument.

His lawyer had applied for him to leave jail with an electronic tag on him. He also stated that his client will stay with the uncle of a woman he shares a child with.

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However his application was opposed by the prosecutors. They argued that the suspect could commit other crimes with just a smart phone. They also opined that Hushpuppi could secretly fly out of the United States to avoid trial.

His lawyer countered that argument with the explanation that his client was an international celebrity who had a lot to lose should he abscond from his trial.

“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.”

Thus, Hushpuppi who had his hearing from a prison video link, was denied bail on grounds of him being a flight risk by the judge, Jeffrey Gilbert.

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He was to be remanded in his Chicago prison till his eventual transfer to Los Angeles where is cyber fraud trial would be heard.

SOURCE: AfricaCelebrities.com