By Ridwan Adekunle
Ahead of his sentencing in November, Nigerian fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has resorted to emotional confession to US trial judge, pleading for leniency in judgement.
Hushpuppi wrote a hand-written letter to the trial judge, Otis Wright, of the US Central District of California, urging him to tamper justice with mercy.
The Instagram big boy stated that he is now a changed man while pleading for leniency ahead of his sentencing.
He wrote his emotional letter dated September 9 to the judge from detention in Central Valley Annex Prions in McFarland, California.
The three-page letter was part of the documents his lawyers have so far filed at the court, urging the judge to reduce his sentence below the calculated range dictated by statute.
Hushpuppi pledged to refund $1.7 million in restitution to the victims of his fraudulent schemes, adding that he only benefitted $300,000 from the crimes.
“Your Honour, I totally recognise the seriousness of my offence and no amount of sorry can right my wrong in the hearts of the victims and this is why I have decided to use my personal money to offset all of the entire $1,700,000 restitution even though I only benefited a fraction of $300,000 plus but it makes me feel better that all the victims get every of their penny back,” he wrote.
Hushpuppi added, “I personally consider it as part punishment for myself and it’s the right thing to do. Your Honour, I really am a changed person in the way I think, see life and make decisions.
“My priorities in life has (sic) changed, my focus in life has shifted, I have realised how precious life and freedom is and how important it is to be on the right side of the law.
“Your Honour, I will like to plead with you to see my act of forfeiting my properties that I worked hard for, for many years, for full restitution repayment as part punishment as well.”
The Nigerian has been in detention since his arrest in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and rendition to the US in June 2020.