Afrobeats star Davido has opened up about his relationship with convicted internet fraudster and former socialite Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
Speaking in a podcast interview, the Awuke singer confirmed that they were friends but claimed he was unaware of Hushpuppi’s involvement in fraud.
“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 said.
Despite the scandal surrounding the former Instagram celebrity, Davido expressed concern for him and hopes for his eventual freedom.
“My prayers go out to him (Hushpuppi). He was my friend. I just see him around, I never really knew what he was doing. But he lived a good life,” he added.
The “30 Billion Gang” boss also linked Nigeria’s harsh economic conditions to the rising cases of fraud and illegal dealings among the youth.
“In Nigeria, there is a kind of hardship you would face and you will be like, you know what? Let me ball for two years then I am good,” he said.
Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years in prison in 2022 by United States District Judge Otis Wright II after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
He was also ordered to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two victims.
The socialite was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 and later extradited to the US where he has remained in federal custody.
