A close friend and associate of Hushpuppi, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as Mr Woodberry, has agreed on a plea deal with the US authorities.
After pleading not guilty in the past to eight-count fraud charges involving his engagement in a scheme known as business email compromise (BEC), the internet fraudster recently pleaded guilty to internet fraud, agreed to pay $8 million (6 Billion Naira) to victims, while also forfeiting his luxury assets in Dubai.
According to the plea, he was required to repay the $8 million he fraudulently received from the seven companies that fell for his scam.
By pleading guilty, he will also submit to the United States all rights, title, and interest in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence.
Mr Woodberry will also be waving his rights to his luxury cars and designer watches in Dubai. The cars he will be forfeiting include his Rolls Royce Cullinan, a Lamborghini Urus, and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
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 forfeited 151.8 Bitcoin, roughly $6 million, to the American government. Mr Woodberry was arrested in Dubai on June 10, 2020, alongside his close pal, Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, who is serving an 11-year sentence for a similar fraud charge.
