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.”
