Why I can’t condemn Hushpuppi – Daddy Freeze

Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, whose real name is Ifedayo Olarinde, has recently discussed his relationship with Nigerian socialite Hushpuppi, who was convicted of internet fraud in the United States.

Hushpuppi was arrested by the FBI in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2020 for his involvement in over $1.1 million in transnational cyber fraud.
Before his arrest and subsequent conviction, Daddy Freeze visited Hushpuppi at his Palazzo Versace home in Dubai in 2019 and shared videos of their time together, praising his host.

However, after Hushpuppi’s arrest, Nigerians criticized Daddy Freeze for associating with someone they considered a criminal.

In response to these criticisms, Daddy Freeze reiterated that he never received any money from Hushpuppi.

He stated, “Hushpuppi has never given me money; he has never given me anything, not even $1!” He added, “But Hushpuppi gave me friendship when nobody else wanted to be my friend because they believed I was the devil.”

Daddy Freeze explained the circumstances that led to their meeting and why he felt unable to abandon Hushpuppi.
He said, “The first time I met Hushpuppi, I was invited to Dubai with some influencers, and I had already begun the #FreeTheSheepple movement at that time. The influencers didn’t particularly like me, and my church, which I had attended for 10 years, rejected me. Everyone turned their backs on me. Then out of the blue, Hushpuppi sent me a DM saying, ‘Where are you? Come over.’”

He continued, “We hung out with some friends, chatted, and took pictures that he posted on Snapchat. So why would I not be friends with someone who was there for me? Why would I be angry with him?”

Additionally, Daddy Freeze acknowledged that he might have suspected that Hushpuppi’s money was illicit, stating, “Davido sang something about being for those who are for you.”