I Refused to Keep Money for Nigerian Fraudster Hushpuppi, Lawyer Donald Kipkorir Says

Flamboyant Nairobi lawyer Donald Kipkorir says Kenyan man Abdulrahman Imraan Juma “Abdul”, who was indicted in the US for fraud reached out to him through a friend.

Through Twitter on Friday, the attorney divulged that Abdul wanted him to keep some money for Nigerian Instagram influencer Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, who recently pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in a California court.

“Sometimes back, Abdulrahman aka Abdul asked my friend Fauz Khalid in Mombasa to introduce him to me,” Kipkorir wrote.

He added: “Abdul came to see me & wanted me to keep money from Hushpuppi. I told him I only deal with corporate clients. If I loved money or was corrupt, I would’ve been indicted in the US!”

Hushpuppi, who was arrested in Dubai in June 2020, pleaded guilty to money laundering on April 20th and faces a 20-year prison sentence. The 37-year-old conspired with Kenyan Abdul (28) and a Nigerian Kelly Chibuzo Vincent to defraud a Qatari businessman of $1.1 million.

The three posed as consultants and bankers who could facilitate a loan to finance the construction of a planned school in Qatar, according to court documents. 

While Juma posed as a facilitator and consultant for the false bank loans, Hushpuppi played the role of “Malik”, a Wells Fargo banker in New York.  On the other hand, Vincent allegedly provided support for the victim’s false narratives by creating bogus documents and arranging for the creation of a bogus bank website and phone banking line.

Acting US Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison said Hushpuppi and his accomplices falsified school finance by impersonating bank officials, creating a fraudulent website, and bribing a foreign official to keep the deception continuing after the victim was tipped off.

The monies stolen from the businessman were used to purchase a Richard Mille RM11-03 watch, which was physically delivered to Hushpuppi in Dubai and later displayed on his social media posts.

Hushpuppi, who has over 2.5 million followers on Instagram, was known for posting photos of his lavish spending on cars, watches, designer clothes, and private jets.