The government of the St. Kitts and Nevis announced in a statement that Nigerian alleged fraudster did not obtain his citizenship through investment program but by virtue of marriage to a Shawana Nakesia Chapman.

“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has become aware of reports and rumors concerning the Federation’s citizenship of a Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, allegedly a person of interest to the United States FBI”

“We note that the Nigeria-born Mr. Abbas, 37, was granted a St. Kitts and Nevis passport in February 2020 by virtue of his marriage to Shawana Nakesia Chapman, 32, a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis by birth and the United States of America,” they announced.

They said Ms. Chapman married Hushpuppi in October 2018 granting him access to their citizenship and is also a resident of North Carolina, USA, and revealed that its citizenship by investment programme includes “rigorous background checks”.

READ MORE: FBI seeks help finding 6 Nigerians accused of fraud totaling over $6 million

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment and second passport program in 1984 is the oldest fast-track citizenship program. It grants Visa-free access to 141 countries including the United States, UK , and all Schengen States. It also is ranked as the 32nd strongest passport in the world.

The program costs $150,000 to the St. Kitts Sustainable Growth Fund for a single individual and $195,000 for a family of 4 or an investment of $400,000 in real estate.

The FBI accuses Hushpuppi of being the leader to a transnational network that “facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars.”

A few days after he was extradited to the United States from Dubai, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, a.k.a Hushpuppi, made his first court appearance where he was charged with accusations ranging from money laundering to participating in business email compromise (BEC) schemes targeting a US law firm, an English Premier League side, and a foreign bank.

In a report released by the U.S Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, Hushpuppi is accused of conspiring “to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately $124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club.”

As written in the affidavit report, “The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Abbas finances this opulent lifestyle through crime, and that he is one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars.”

READ ALSO: U.S. publishes names of 6 Nigerians charged with internet fraud against Americans

Jesse Baker, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Los Angles Field Office, described the hunt for Hushpuppi as “a challenging case, one that spanned international boundaries, traditional financial systems and the digital sphere,” and its success depended on partnerships between the Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement agents.

Hushpuppi is accused of stealing $922,857 in October last year from a client of a New York-based law firm through another BEC scheme.

“Abbas and co-conspirators allegedly tricked one of the law firm’s paralegals into wiring money intended for the client’s real estate refinancing to a bank account that was controlled by Abbas and the co-conspirators,” the report stated.

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He is also accused of conspiracy to launder funds stolen in a $14.7 Million cyber-heist from a foreign financial services firm in February 2019. Hushpuppi allegedly provided the co-conspirators with 2 bank accounts in Europe, anticipating to receive €5 million each.

If he is found guilty of money laundering and other related crimes, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in a federal prison.

Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2020, as a public holiday to celebrate 2020 Democracy Day.

This was disclosed by the Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, via his Twitter handle on Monday.

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2020 as a public holiday, to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) June 8, 2020

Also, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated Nigerians for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.

The minister also called on “Nigerians to continue to cherish the selfless efforts made to attain democracy”.

He reassured “Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to battling the scourge of COVID-19 with the cooperation of all Nigerians”.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s revenue burden to ease off as DPR announces bids for marginal oilfields

He emphasised the need for all Nigerians to stay safe by observing physical and social distancing, personal and respiratory hygiene, as well as other regulations issued by relevant authorities.

He said, “All Nigerians should continue to cherish these selfless efforts and collaborate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to ensure the realization of the democratic ideals which these Patriots fought for, even at the cost of their lives.”

The Minister who reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to battling the scourge of COVID-19 with the cooperation of all Nigerians, advised them further, to take responsibility for stopping the spread of the virus.

READ ALSO: Presidency denies canceling memos, appointments approved by Abba Kyari

Ogbeni @raufaregbesola called on all Nigerians to continue to cherish these selfless efforts and collaborate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to ensure the realization of the democratic ideals which these Patriots fought for, even at the cost of their lives.

— Ministry of Interior (@MinOfInteriorNG) June 8, 2020