Entertainment

BREAKING: Hushpuppi’s Ally, Woodberry Pleads Guilty To Fraud, Forfeits $8M, Cars, Watches, Others

Notorious and disgraced Internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to internet fraud.

CityNews Nigeria reports that Woodberry has also agreed to surrender $8 million in proceeds of wire fraud as well as luxury cars and watches to the foreign government.

Woodberry, who loved to flaunt his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, is a friend to disgraced Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi.

Advertisement

Woodberry had at first pleaded not guilty to the eight-count fraud charge brought against him for engaging in a scheme known as business email compromise (BEC).

However, a plea declaration submitted at the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division on April 6 revealed Woodberry had had a rethink and is now pleading guilty to count one of the indictments.

Advertisement

According to his plea agreement, he was required to repay the $8 million he fraudulently received from the seven companies that fell for his scam.

“Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he will subject to forfeiture to the United States all right, title, and interest that he has in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence,” stated the document containing Ponle’s signed plea declaration, Peoples Gazette reports.

Advertisement

U.S authorities also demanded he forfeits all his luxury cars, and designer watches stashed in Dubai.

The automobiles include Rolls Royce Cullinan with vehicle no J9153, Lamborghini Urus (N4973) and Mercedes-Benz G-class (G68816).

Advertisement

Other items seized are four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, three Audemars Piguet watches, three gold and diamond-studded earrings, and six gold neck chains.

Last year, he had forfeited 151.8 Bitcoin, roughly $6 million, to the American government, determined to recover all stolen monies from the Nigerian fraudster.

Advertisement

Ponle was arrested in Dubai on June 10, 2020, alongside Hushpuppi currently serving an 11-year sentence for a similar fraud charge.

Advertisement
citynews

Recent Posts

Senate Approves Tinubu’s $2.2bn Loan Request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion to partially…

11 hours ago

2023 Presidential Poll Not Rigged – Okupe To Peter Obi

A former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe has dismissed claims by Peter Obi of the Labour…

11 hours ago

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reveals Speaks On What Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Means For Igbo Nation

Leading Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has commended the arrest of self-acclaimed Biafra Prime Minister,…

11 hours ago

Car Dealer Surprises Davido With Brand New Escalade To Celebrate His Birthday

    A car dealer has gifted Nigerian singer Davido a new vehicle for his birthday.  …

19 hours ago

PDP Crisiss: Damagum Holds Closed-Door Meeting With State Chairmen

There is palpable tension in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the acting National Chairman…

19 hours ago

Reevaluate your economic policies….they have worsened lives of Nigerians – ACF tells President Tinubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum says the policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has worsened…

19 hours ago