Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described as irresponsible, a statement by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) linking him to a cyber-crime suspect, Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi).
The ruling party linked top leaders of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to Abbas, who was recently arrested alongside his associates in Dubai for cyber fraud.
Abbas, known for his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, has been extradited to the United States of America to face trial for alleged cyber-fraud, possibly money laundering, among other crimes.
The APC, in its first reaction since ‘Instagram celebrity’ was arrested accused Nigeria’s former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar; immediate past Senate president, Bukola Saraki; a former speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; a senator, Dino Melaye, among party’s stalwarts of shady links with Abbas.
“At different times, Hushpuppi was seen photographed in Dubai, meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senator Dino Melaye among other PDP stalwarts.”
The APC’s deputy spokesperson, Yekini Nabena further called on relevant authorities to investigate the nature of their relationship and business partnership.
However, Saraki, in a statement issued by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that he has no form of association with Mr Abass in any way.
“The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community.
“This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities. Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities,” the statement read.
Olaniyonu added that his principal had, on several occasions, condemned the activities of these cyber criminals and called on the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to make decisive interventions to checkmate their activities.
“He has also got a research institution, the Politeia Institute, whose board he chairs to commence a research on the best ways to tackle the menace.”
Similarly former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has threatened legal action against the All Progressives Congress (APC) over a statement linking him to cyber-crimes, suspect Ramon Abbas popularly known as Hushpuppi.
Atiku said it was mischievous to link him to Hushpuppi because of a photograph. The former Vice President on Sunday, warned that such statements would attract legal actions, stressing that such should not be used for political blackmail.
In a series of tweets, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe wrote: “It is curious that the All Progressives Congress is mischievously trying to link Atiku Abubakar to the alleged fraudster, Ramon Abbas, AKA Hushpuppi, simply because he was photographed with Atiku at an event where many Nigerians had gathered.
For the avoidance of doubt, it was a mere photo-op and not at any meeting as being ingloriously speculated.
“We would advise the APC and Mr. Nabena to be very mindful of such senseless statements in the future especially as the case under reference is a subject of litigation in another country.
“Had they been more sensitive, they would have come to terms with the reality that the case is a national embarrassment – not something to cheer about for any political blackmail.”
