More than a hundred people have signed an online petition opposing 50 Cent’s proposed documentary on Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, a convicted internet fraudster.
On November 7, 2022, Hushpuppi was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison in the United States for money laundering.
Following his guilty verdict, American rapper, 50 Cent, announced plans to create a series based on the Nigerian socialite.
50 Cent wrote with a picture of Hushpuppi, “For my scammers, I gotta do this one, Hushpuppy series coming soon!”
However, Samuel Effiong launched a petition in response to the rapper’s attempt to glamourize cybercrime and paint Nigeria’s battered image with the proposed film.
He said, “I am disappointed by 50 Cent’s recent announcement about a planned movie series on Ramon Olorunwa Abbas also known as Hushpuppi, a convicted felon currently serving 11 years in a maximum security prison in the U.S over cybercrime or “yahoo yahoo” as it is popularly called in Nigeria.
“This proposed series will further tank Nigeria’s battered image as it will reinforce stereotypes about all Nigerians being scammers.
“Furthermore, this plan would not only make Hushpuppi rich, as he would have to be paid for rights, but it would also encourage and glamourise cybercrime. This has to be stopped. Join me to call on 50Cent to stop the Hushpuppi series.”
At the time of filing this report, approximately 105 people had signed the petition, which had begun about six days prior.
50 Cent would not be the first to consider making a film based on Hushpuppi’s fraud an experience with international enforcement officials.
Will Packer Productions, a US company, and EbonyLife Studios, owned by Mo Abudu of Nigeria, acquired the rights to make a film based on Bloomberg’s article about the self-confessed international fraudster in 2021.