Popular media personality Daddy Freeze has admitted his friendship with convicted Nigerian fraudster Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi.
This revelation comes years after he was criticized for associating with the now-jailed socialite.
Hushpuppi’s rise and fall
Hushpuppi gained fame for flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media. He was known for expensive designer outfits, luxury cars, and exotic vacations, presenting himself as a successful businessman. However, in 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested him in Dubai for orchestrating large-scale internet fraud. He was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty and received an 11-year prison sentence.
Daddy Freeze’s past defense
Before Hushpuppi’s arrest, Daddy Freeze visited him in Dubai in 2019. He shared videos of their meeting at Hushpuppi’s luxurious Palazzo Versace residence on YouTube. The videos showed them dining and engaging in friendly conversations.
When news of Hushpuppi’s crimes broke, Nigerians criticized Daddy Freeze for associating with him and allegedly promoting his extravagant lifestyle. At the time, Daddy Freeze defended himself, insisting he did not know about Hushpuppi’s fraudulent activities. He described him as an influencer, not a criminal.
New admission: “I suspected his wealth”
However, in a video shared on Sunday by blogger Tunde Ednut, Daddy Freeze admitted that he suspected Hushpuppi’s wealth was illegitimate. Despite this, he maintained their friendship.
“Hushpuppi never gave me a single dollar,” he stated. “But he gave me friendship when nobody wanted to be my friend. At that time, people believed I was the devil.”
Daddy Freeze recalled how he first met Hushpuppi. He said he was among a group of influencers invited to Dubai. However, he felt isolated because many influencers disliked him due to his controversial stance against religious leaders, which he called the #FreeTheSheeple movement.
According to him, even his church, where he had worshiped for a decade, rejected him. During this period of isolation, Hushpuppi reached out.
“He sent me a DM asking where I was and told me to come over,” Daddy Freeze recounted. “We hung out with some friends, chatted, took pictures, and he put them on his Snapchat.”
Justifying the friendship
When questioned about his continued association with Hushpuppi, Daddy Freeze stood firm.
“Why wouldn’t I be friends with someone who was my friend?” he asked. “How could I suddenly turn against him? Maybe I guessed that his money wasn’t legitimate, but he was there for me when no one else was.”
Quoting Nigerian musician Davido, he added, “‘Dey for who dey for you’—stand by those who stand by you.”
Public reactions
Daddy Freeze’s latest admission has sparked mixed reactions. Some social media users believe he is being honest, while others argue that he should have distanced himself from Hushpuppi once he suspected foul play.
For years, Daddy Freeze has built a reputation for challenging popular beliefs, particularly on religious matters. His latest confession may add to his list of controversial moments. However, one thing remains clear: his friendship with Hushpuppi is a chapter he is unwilling to erase.
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