Instagram deactivates Hushpuppi’s verified account with 2.8m followers

• Verified Instagram account of of Ramon Abbas Igbalode, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been deactivated.

• The internet big boy is being tried in the US on charges of hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft.

Verified Instagram account of of Ramon Abbas Igbalode, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been deactivated.

After Hushpuppi’s arrest in dubia by a joint team of Dubai Police and United States FBI agents in June 2020, his IG account had been dormant.

A recent check by CorrectNG showed that the page boasted of over N2.8 million followers before the deactivation, but the last post was two years ago.

The internet big boy is being tried in the US on charges of hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft.

He had earlier been given permission by the photo and video sharing social networking to continue using his account once he does not represent dangerous organisations or individuals.

However, Instagram seems to have reviewed the decision to allow Hushpuppi’s account remain active.

It may be recalled that in September 2021, UAE-based The National reported that though Hushpuppi lived a life of luxury in Dubai based on the proceeds of crime, his crimes do not violate social media laws and, therefore, his Instagram account may not be closed.

The National quoted the social media service as saying that it had well-established processes with law enforcement and a policy on “inmate takedown requests” in place for prisoners active on social media.

Instagram’s global team told The National that Hushpuppi would be free to continue to use his social media handle “unless directed otherwise from law enforcement in the US, where he is awaiting sentencing.”

It added; ”Abbas does not fall under the categories which would validate account removal.

“Despite pleading guilty to his crimes as revealed in court documents from April 2021, Abbas is yet to be imprisoned, so his account does not breach Instagram policies or community standards.”