It has been initiated by a Nigerian prophet, Samuel Effiong change.org American rapper Curtis James Jackson, aka 50 Cent, filed a petition to stop him from producing a film series based on the life of convicted fraudster Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi.
On November 7, Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years in a US federal prison for conspiring to launder tens of millions of dollars in online fraud.
Shortly after his conviction, 50 Cent announced on Instagram that he was working on a film series based on him The story of Hushpuppi.
He wrote: “For my cheaters, I have to do this. Hushpuppi series coming soon! GLG, Green Light Gang, I won’t miss it.”
However, a week later, Prophet Effiong said in his petition that he was disappointed by 50 Cent’s latest announcement about the planned film series.
According to him, the series will further damage the tarnished image of Nigeria and reinforce stereotypes.
“This proposed series will only add to the tarnished image of Nigeria as it will reinforce the stereotypes that all Nigerians are frauds.
“Furthermore, this plan would not only enrich Hushpuppi, who should be paid for the rights, but would encourage and glamorize cybercrime,” the petition says.
At press time, the order was filed change.org 64 signatures were needed to reach 200 signatures.
BMF example
If 50 Cent’s wish to make a movie about Hushpppi’s life comes true, it would be the second time he’s told a true crime story.
In 2019, 50 Cent announced that he had begun development of a TV series about The Black Mafia Family, a defunct drug-trafficking and money-laundering organization in the United States.
ALSO READ: It will be Hushpuppi’s home for years
It was called Black Mafia Family (BMF); 50 Cent executive produced the series for cable network company Starz.
The series premiered in September 2021, and stars Demetrius Flenory Jr. as his father, Demetrius “Meech” Flenory, founder of the Black Mafia Family. The latter is serving his sentence in a US prison.
hushpuppy
Hushpuppi was found guilty of laundering the proceeds of a school funding scam, business email fraud and other cyber schemes.
The 40-year-old was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who ordered him to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims.
Until his arrest in June 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Hushpuppi showed his lifestyle on social media, mainly through his Instagram page, which was recently shut down. The US government said his lavish lifestyle was financed by crime.
In April 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, reducing what could have been 20 years in prison to about 11 years.
The court also ordered him to pay total restitution of about $1.7 million, which he agreed to in the April 2021 settlement.
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