A viral video of imprisoned Nigerian scam kingpin Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi having a feast in the detention centre at Fort Dix New Jersey, has unsettled the United States Bureau of Prisons.
The prison authorities said they would be investigating the authenticity of the video. Hushpuppi is serving an 11 years jail term after being convicted of scamming American citizens in 2022. He was arrested in Dubai before and extradited to the U.S.
“We take these matters seriously,” the prison facility told Peoples Gazette Thursday night, adding that the “investigative department” would take charge of the inquiry to ascertain the facts— or lack thereof— about the viral video.
Mr Abbas’ ally and social media influencer, Tunde Adekunle, alias Tunde Ednut, celebrated his birthday on January 22.
While fans and other celebrities joined the birthday across Nigeria and parts of the U.S., a video surfaced showing a feast of different foods, including jollof rice, pasta and soda drinks, in what appeared to be a jail facility.
“Tunde Ednut, you can see that we are celebrating you in our own little way o,” said a voice which many Nigerians said belonged to Mr Abbas in the video that went viral on January 22. “Fried rice is ready, Tunde Ednut birthday celebration. Jollof loading, pasta is here as you can see,” the voice continued as the person, who hid his face behind the camera, displayed a variety of delicacies on a white table.
The video showed a grey double bunk and a bed covered in white sheets. The features reminiscent of a prison interior, stoked rumours that Mr Abbas was really having a swell time celebrating his friend’s birthday behind bars.
