Suspected Nigerian internet fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, faces a possible 15 – 25 years in US federal prison if convicted of the many crimes he is being charged with. The news of his arrest broke on the internet in June, creating a viral maelstrom of discussions by Nigerians on social media. Conversations then mostly centered on his extravagant lifestyle, details about his arrest and where he would be extradited to and prosecuted. Some of those answers are finally answered by his extradition to the US.

According to a press release from the U.S Department of Justice, the suspected Nigerian fraudster conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams, including schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club.

Federal prosecutors in L.A. charge Dubai resident who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media in a wide-ranging conspiracy to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams.https://t.co/dBhZI4s3pC pic.twitter.com/aroKOIPrdR

— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) July 3, 2020

Reacting to this update on Twitter, the socialite, Hushpuppi is currently topping trends, alongside #20years which is how much time he has to serve in federal prison if found guilty of the crimes. Many Nigerians are talking about what this means for them as a few have shared that Hushpuppi’s actions have tainted Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

Hushpuppy and his associates should faced the full wrath of the law. It's also important to state clearly here that there are millions of responsible NIGERIANS who strive daily to build their business through legitimate means. His actions isn't a true reflection of Nigerians.

— FOLARIN OPEYEMI JOSEPH FOJ. (@opeyemifolarin1) July 3, 2020

Please note that there are good youths, very hardworking ones amongst us in Nigeria ?? and Abroad. Judge Hushpuppi and his cohorts according to their crimes. Not all Nigerians are criminals.

— Timmy Ambali®‎​​ – #StaySafe (@ambalium) July 3, 2020

LOL his Nigerian brotha are attacking him in the comments ?at list they condemn bad ppl from their community not like African American

— notorious Patriot ???? (@notorious_nono) July 3, 2020

As it appears the many Nigerians who contributing to the trend are trying to protect the image of the many hard-working Nigerians, they are reminding people that there are hard-working Nigerians and that not all Nigerians are criminals and fraudsters.

I’m sick of seeing Nigerians under every News of Hushpuppi, Talmabout “Please not all Nigerians are criminals” rest with the unnecessary Shalaye. You can’t tweet your way into their Perception, it’s becoming nuisance.

— DANNY ? (@Danny_Walterr) July 4, 2020

At his current age of 38, Hushpuppi would be 58 yrs old by the time he is released from prison if he gets the statutory 20years ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 4, 2020

Others, however, pointed out that it makes no sense for Nigerians to expend energy defending themselves  and the country’s reputation over the arrest of one man as they pointed out that a criminal is not defined by his country but just by his actions. They stressed that Hushpuppi and his cohorts should be identified only based on what they have done as they berated Nigerians who were validating themselves over the update.

At his current age of 38, Hushpuppi would be 58 yrs old by the time he is released from prison if he gets the statutory 20years ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 4, 2020

He is the only bread winner in he's family. United states do not know the condition Nigeria youth pass through. You can not be legal in nigeria and make it in life

— Africa (@Africa76612139) July 3, 2020

Some, however, went further to suggest the economy and the hardship in Nigeria caused by the negligence of our leaders is responsible for the corruption that is perpetrated by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.