Afrobeat star Davido has disclosed that convicted fraudster and socialite, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, is expected to be released soon.

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Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Davido acknowledged his past friendship with Hushpuppi but clarified that he had no knowledge of the criminal activities that led to his imprisonment.

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“Hushpuppi is coming out soon. He lived life. To me, it is not worth it to be locked up. But let me not make excuses for them (fraudsters). Some people are happy to ball for five years and that is it,” Davido stated.

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The 'Awuke' singer expressed sympathy towards Hushpuppi, while also highlighting how economic hardship in Nigeria often drives individuals into illegal activities.

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“In Nigeria, there is a kind of hardship you would face and you’ll be like, you know what? Let me ball for two years then I am good,” he explained.

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Despite the controversy surrounding Hushpuppi, Davido maintained that their interactions were limited and that he was unaware of the extent of his fraudulent operations. “My prayers go out to him. He was my friend. I just saw him around; I never really knew what he was doing. But he lived a good life,” he added.

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Hushpuppi is currently serving an over 11-year sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering. He was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 and later extradited to the U.S., where he was ordered to pay over $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims.

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United States Attorney Martin Estrada previously described Hushpuppi’s luxurious lifestyle as being funded by transnational fraud and money laundering schemes that targeted victims worldwide.

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