The two are opposite. And in a typical action movie, one would play the protagonist, the other antagonist. That’s probably because they are from two different world. One stays in a world guided by rule of law, regulation and respect for established order and authority. The other in a world, of his own, guided by self made rule and disrespect for the ways of the world. One was trained to frown at, detect and expose criminals. The other trained himself to smile at crimes, game the system and dines with fraudster. For he himself is a celebrated gangster whose atrocious exploits have earned him fame and courage to press on in his (mis) adventure.
Yet by every stretch of imagination, no one would have thought of their secretive bromance, dalliance and frolicking – not even for a second: a protagonist having better time in a beach with the antagonist. Possible in movie. What about in real life? That a celebrated internet fraudster and an acclaimed super cop would maintain a steady stream of communication would be considered utterly impossible and implausibly off kilter. But based on available facts and figures, especially one churned out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) detailing calls and financial transactions. Here it is, the impossibility now made possible, no thanks to cash wired through hands, staring so crudely rudely in bank account from Mr. Abass, ace criminal to Mr. Abba, super police officer.
At 35 years old, Ramon Olohunwa Abass aka Hushpuppi has seen the world, tasted the world, and wore the world. He was everywhere: in Gucci, Versace, Louis Vuitton, rolling on Roll Royce, globetrotting in chartered private Jet and lavishing his illicit wealth on ostentatious lifestyle. Exactly what made him the model of hopeless young Nigerians whose dreams are to ride exotic cars, drink the most expensive wines and sleep in the most costly condo in the world. On Instagram for instance, he had an impressive two million followers. Potential clients inclusive. He was the toast of everyone – especially those who believe money answer all questions. And if he had maintained his anonymity and listen to advice of his friend turned foe, Mompha, the tendency for him to pocket men of Nigerian Police as security escort may be in the offing. A criminal hiring police officer?!
Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari is described as a super Nigerian cop. Often considered the most decorated police officer in the country, DCP Kyari’s cough alone is enough to send chill up the spines of kidnappers, internet fraudster, cyber-criminals and high profile gangsters. He was their nemesis. Awarded the best detective in Africa, a recipient of Presidential medal of excellence just to name few, DCP Kyari is a shinning example of discipline and diligence in a country where nepotism, tribalism, and jingoism have been sandbagged for those two traits. In the real world, DCP Abba Kyari was the best. But in the underworld, he was no different from a threat.
Then at 36. Hushpuppi’s flamboyant lifestyle ended abruptly. Because he had left digital footprint on the internet, it was easier for FBI to trail, trace, track and finally launch an operation codenamed Fox Hunt 2 against him. He was in Dubai, drooling, dining and destroying as usual when he had an unusual knock on his door, and in a speed of life, his fakery, pretentious and tipsy lifestyle disappeared, his bubble busted and his social life which is the only life he had gotten vanished into oblivion. He has never known peace since. When target Hushpuppi became secured, the News broke the internet. For those who believe in legitimate business, it was a relief. People like Hushpuppi and other ‘yahoo yahoo’ fraudster are direct threat to diligent people who want to stay uprightly honest and sincerely straightforward not minding temptation and pressure. When looked at retrospectively, the economic implications of illicit cash flow, evidenced in advanced internet fraud is quite unimaginably mind-boggling.
You can’t just afford a decent living or modest dressing or sumptuous meal in an area populated by these cyber-criminals. Unfortunately, they are every where. These guys have made mess of everything. And that was why the fall of Mr. Abass made sense and gave some sort of hope that, no criminal shall go unpunished not just in heaven, where they mt, no criminal shall go unpunished not just in heaven, where they may be tossed into the pit of hell but even here on earth where people expect the long arm of the law to throw them into gulac.
Hushpuppi and DCP kyari’s dalliance reminds me of Captain MCcluskey in the book The Godfather written by Mario Puzo. In the book which has been adapted into movie, Captain MCcluskey was described as a tough minded, hard to crack and brilliantly intelligent police officer. His job performance earned him promotion, power and influence but his romance with criminals particularly the Tattaglia family cut short his life in the most heartbreaking way.
By the time Captain MCcluskey and Sollozzo (head of Tattaglia family gangster) were brutally Murdered by Michael Corleone, son of powerful Don Corleone, Newspapers began printing stories involving him and criminals. They published proof that MCckuskey had received large sums of money in cash shortly after his death. He had taken the dirtiest of dirty money: murder and drugs money. And in the morality of policemen, this was unforgivable. Wherever crime thrives and criminal survives, there are enablers: in the police, among the populace and so on.
They never imagined their own fall. But now, with their power and influence and wealth and experience, their sad and precipitous end came when they least expected. It is instructive to pick one or two life lesson here: there will always be an end to everything. That’s for sure. For every end will always justify the means. What end are you digging?
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
