Botmang Arraigned By EFCC
July 21, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The Ex-Plateau State governor Micheal Botmang who took over from the impeached Governor Joshua Dariye on 13th November 2006, was on Friday July 18th arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 31 count charges of fraud and other acts contrary to the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2004. The total sum allegedly misappropriated by Botmang while in office is 1.3 billion Naira.
Botmang who according to his lawyer Yarkasuwa Saleh is suffering from diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be placed under house arrest.
In a twist of fate,the same EFCC that arm twisted the Plateau State House of Assembly to impeach Dariye, which gave way for Botmang, then Dariye’s deputy to take over the reins of government, are the ones after Botmang.
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CAC - Conversation with the Deaf
March 21, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
Written By Che Oyinatumba.
Though I respect every person’s peculiarity, it is a trite wisdom that, it’s only a reluctant groom that asks for a direction to his in-laws’ house from a stammerer. Talking, complaining, shrieking about the progressive degeneration of services at CAC, gives me the feeling that we are having a conversation with the deaf.
Some of us, who are gifted by God with short fuse, have tried to keep off CAC jobs. But man must wak; hence i am doomed to come to CAC in between unwarranted adjournments by lazy litigation lawyers, to eke out a living. Each time I resurface at CAC, I come expectant like a pregnant woman and like a father of a stillborn, I go home disillusioned, feeling suicidal; asking, what is wrong with the black man?
The edifying edifice called CAC office at Zone 5 Wuse, is nothing but a dignified sepulchre, full of rotten services and habitual collapse. Despite the concession by CAC PRO Mr. Williams Churchill on Tuesday 4th March on page 23 of Dailytrust Newspaper, nothing has been done to upgrade these pre-colonial typewriters called computers in use at CAC. The computers at customers’ centre are still as dead as dodo, availability of reserved company name, comes out at a speed that will give a snail an Olympic 100meters medal; reprint of already reserved name, is a nightmare; dispatch of certificate requires a vocal diarrhoea of empty threats and unprintable abuses and at cordial times inducement to get some butts moving upstairs, where often times, a good number of staff are idling away, some even do their morning devotion during official hours!
On 26th February 2008, the scheduled interactive meeting between CAC and customers was aborted without CAC advancing any reason. To our rude shock, on Monday 17th March, CAC organised a meeting in Lagos to introduce CAConline services. Followers of entrenched fraud in CAC will testify that a similar product was introduced in Abuja last year and up till now, the closest we have to CAConline, is a green envelope given at dispatch desk. This meeting in Lagos is a calculated attempt by CAC administrators to plunge customers in Lagos and lawyers in Abuja into cold war. The impression given by CAC at the meeting is that lawyers in Abuja are responsible for the delay of jobs sent from Lagos! One wonders why the waste of resources to host a meeting in Lagos, when common company availability can’t be done in Lagos?
It is stating the obvious that there is a fishy fraud going on in CAC. In this era of regained courage in the House of Representatives, we look forward to a probe of the activities of the Ministry of Commerce and the where about of the revenues they generated from 1999 to date. Unlike the probe at the Power to Steal (Power and Steel sector), the recommended probe should be carried out by a panel made up of ordinary Nigerians and headed by a member of the House. This is so as Nigerians are expressing reasonable fear that the Hon. Elumelu led panel may not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Governors Imoke and Agagu were accomplices in the eclipse of Nigeria, or will they have the political will power to unveil the shadowy companies with questionable share capitals, that collaborated with Oyinbos to under develop Nigeria. There is no need to go to Mambila plateau, just visit CAC and see blacks conniving with blacks to under develop Nigeria. That CAC is not working as effective as it should, is beneficial to a cabal. After all, the elephantiasis of the scrotum that doesn’t allow the antelope to run, is a gain to the weary hunter.
Scratch a Nigerian, you see a religious fanatic. With fear of fatwah, let me say it’s ironic that as one son of Abraham is being born, another is courageously marching to Golgotha. Be that as it may, as Christians celebrate Easter herald by Jesus giving his disciples a pedicure after the Palm Sunday march, We pray that the comatose computers at CAC will resurrect to give good services; certificates come out as advertised by the CAC and erroneously reservation of names, cancelation of Incorporated Trustee, after publication, will be left in the grave.
The Moslems should see the birth of one of the leaders of Justice and equity, as an avenue to re-evaluate their services in CAC and ask; what can be done to make CAC grow into the envy of the world and a revenue alternative to the devil’s excretion from the South-South.
For the administrative deaf in CAC, let me remind you that Diamond Bank PLC, which withheld customers’ Acer laptop, are speedily reacting to save their corporate image. Last time I went to Lion Building Branch (after the article-Diamond Bank Acer Fraud); they were cordial and respectful and have delivered the said laptop. I salute their courage but they shouldn’t have waited for the handshake to go beyond the elbow before swinging to action.
CAC can work, if the retiring Registrar General listens and have the presence of mind to engage CAC customers in tête-à-tête. He is welcome to CAC parliament situate and lying under the mango tree in front of the filing room gate, where we air off frustration from the dilapidated services at CAC, and tell whatever under the sun as it as is and when the need be, we wear the basket to tell the king where and with which guard the queen was seen bra up, pants down.
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FEDERAL HIGH COURT CAUTIONS ORJI KALU
March 12, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 1 Comment
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission embattled ex-governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu was yesterday warned by Justice Binta Nyako to take the case of corruption, money laundering and grossly enriching himself with state resources seriously in his own interest.
At the resumed hearing, Kalu’s counsel Livy Uzoukwu SAN could not appear because Orji informed the court that his counsel was bereaved.
Justice Nyako lashed out on Kalu saying “all these delay tactics will not help you. It is better that this matter is decided one way or the other as soon as possible. It is better you face the reality that you are standing trial”. Before yesterday’s adjournment to 17th of March, the matter suffered an adjournment at the instance of Kalu’s ill health.
Meanwhile Orji Uzor Kalu’s posters have dominated pillars under all Abuja over head bridges, offering him as a candidate for Abuja senatorial seat.
The election tribunal nullified the ANPP victory in Abuja for failure of INEC to include the party logo of APGA during the last concluded April election.
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DIAMOND BANK ACER FRAUD!
March 8, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 3 Comments
Written By: Che Oyinatumba.
When was the last time you used an ATM card to withdraw money from any of these bloated mega banks in Nigeria? If you are the lucky few, whose ATM card has not been detained by these machines, I envy you. Most of us have found ourselves at the receiving end of the rush by Nigerian banks to become IT compliant and “the leading bank in Africa”, without first putting the supporting structures in place. Network failure as an excuse for inefficiency, is as worn out as a cracked CD.
From arrested ATM cards to deductions for money not belched out, we “ordinary customers” are left at the mercy of a cheerless bank staff, who carelessly ask us to refer the ATM hitch at Wuse market their head office in Lagos to report.
If you think this arrest of ATM cards is the only ill bedeviling these forced marriages by Soludo, take time and observe the attitude of the bank staff to customers. The way most of these caged staff respond to the depositor, you wonder whose money pays whose salary. This devil may care attitude, is a sharp contrast to the connoted sexual appeal of their marketing staff when they come soliciting for accounts. The ladies they dump at this department from their build are obviously employed because of the size of their mammary gland, sex appeal and not the content of their skull. I had the misfortune to run into one at Diamond Bank, Central Area Abuja. After parroting what was obviously a rehearsed response, this lady folded up, ignored my complaint.
What is my grievance?
I went to Park ‘N’ Shop to buy a computer, but the Indian at the desk, speaking as though he has pebbles in his mouth, introduced me to Acer/Park ‘n’ Shop/Diamond Bank laptop promo. I expressed my fears about banks, but Mr. Ranji (generic name for Indians), assured me there is enough stock to supply the request of Diamond Bank.
I executed a lease agreement with Diamond Bank, signed by one Mr. Jonas Chukuijioke and Miss Vivian Egboluche. Its over two months I entered this agreement and in tune with the agreement, Diamond Bank has deducted two months installments from my account without giving me the said Acer laptop. The staff at their retail banking department in Lion Building Branch Abuja, having met their target care less about the inconvenience their ineptitude have caused their customers and most injuriously me. Why run a promo you can not deliver as at when due? At my third missionary journey to collect the laptop, after one Mr. Lekan made sure the previous two were abortive, one lady told me to take my complaint to Lagos, as that’s where their retail manager is. I need not be a lawyer to know that the agreement was undertaken and signed in Lion Building, Plot 792 Mohammad Buhari Way Abuja. Or must I be a Bill Gate to know what e-banking entails. But being fraudulently minded, most bank hide under their CAC registered address to frustrate customers. Am I sad? Yes. Surprised? No. After all Diamond Bank’s signature tune sounds “ole ole ole, when you re-listen to it after my harrowing experience.
In all honesty, it’s not only Diamond Bank that is involved in this fraud. Almost all the 25 Mega banks and corporate Nigeria are as guilty as hell. It took over a year for Oceanic Bank to issue share certificate to subscribers, despite their bank winning a bogus Nigerian Bank of the year award. A visit to any of their banking halls will show the callous attitude of their staff to customers. What is wrong in the banking industry? Do their human resource/personnel departments ever do psychological profiling of these staff to find out if they are fit to work under pressure and cheerfully attend to “reasonable” customers? Or does all one need to get employed and retain same; is ownership of an Uncle with a healthy account? This constant drive to meet target has turned the banking industry into an auto machine that cares less for her costumers. I know the staff are also under bondage.
Akin to this, is the Dangote group.
After mopping up people’s money for their CEO to make it to Forbe Magazine’s richest man in the world list, the Dangote group is arbitrarily allotting shares to subscribers and returning their money without an apology or explanation. A friend of mine, bought/subscribed and fully paid for Dangote flour share offer to the tune of 3000 shares. After Donkey months, Dangote allotted to her 750 ordinary shares. First Bank Nigeria PLC after their “Elephant has entered the market” promo had the presence of mind to tell Nigerians that they are over subscribed and hence leverage and a roof was placed. What is Dangote’s ceiling? Assess Bank PLC is also as guilty as drenched fowl, they are yet to issue share certificates.
Another means of corporate fraud is the sell of scratch cards for various programs. The sell of University of Abuja Post Graduate scratch had Unity Bank making extra N600:00 (six hundred Naira) per card. The bank hiding that it is service/handling charge, rip off unsuspecting Nigerians.
When other less fortunate Banks had their licenses revoked as a result of weak base, occasioned by heavy borrowing by some states and their governors, not excluding some head of governmental agencies, we thought that the soludonization of the bank will result in better dividend for the depositor. But these mega banks are shylocks to boot. The miserable rate they charge on soft loan made many long serving civil servants to lose their houses after paying the first 10%. Years after these merger, services of these banks have not improved, their social responsibility is poor, they would rather sponsor a celebrity dance competition, instead of talent hunt. Why over popularise a popular actor, when there are millions of depositors, awaiting a break of N500,000:00 (Five Hundred Naira) to stream into limelight. Some go to the extra mile of sponsoring English Premier League, while Nigerian Football League crave for sponsorship and undiscovered talents pine away. I hope non in corporate Nigeria, is blaming the Nigerian Super Chicken over their performance in Ghana.
Do these corporations ever carry out social impact assessment of their programes/promo? The failure to do a feasibility study beyond the financial gain and loss, has led to many companies carrying out self-imposed social corporate responsibility without finding out what the host community needs.
It’s over 5 years since the GSM revolution took Nigerian with a bang. Nigerians have been treated to all manner of promos that do not improve their daily lives. Many musicians have gone though the over 36 universities in Nigeria on the bill of a company in Nigeria, without anyone asking is there telecommunications department in these universities? Have the GSM companies ploughed back into the manpower base of their host community? Year in, year out our antelope legged brothers from East Africa, win the marathon and exhausted Nigerian recharge card buyer goes home without understanding how GSM works. What is stopping these GSM providers from sponsoring a professional chair in any Nigerian university on information communications technology, rather than wasting money congratulating the NCC chairman over the honorary doctorate degree given to him by University of Nigeria Nsuka.
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Sample Letters Series - Immediate Notification Report
February 11, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
In our bid to help fight the Advance fee fraud (419) crime, we try to bring to you sample letters that are being used by these 419 schemers as it evolves, adapt to time, technology and events.
Please do read and beware of these phoney proposals. ***Do not respond to them.***
Courtesy: My Pen and Paper
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Cash Processing Unit
Tinubu Square,
Abuja-Nigeria
Attn:The Beneficiary,
Immediate Notification Report
I Am Directed To Pass This Message Base On The Sworn Affidavit Of Death Certificate That Was Sent To The Executive Boards Committees Of The Payments Monetary Funds On Your Behalf That You Are Died, But Immediate Investigation Was Carried Out About The Application/Affidavit Of Death Certificate Which Was Sent By One Madam Grace Shevchenko From Russia.
With Regards To This Information, The Executive Boards Committees Of The Payments Monetary Funds Now Directed Us To Confirm If This Affidavit Of Death Certificate Madam Grace Shevchenko Sent On Your Name That You Are A Died Person Is True Because The Boards Of Central Bank Of Nigeria Have Complete The Process Analysis For The Release Of Your Outstanding Debts Payment Before Madam Grace Shevchenko From Russia Sent This Affidavit And She Want The Funds To Be Deliver To Her.
Now, The Office Of The Presidency Advices That If Its Confirm That You Are Still Alive And Never Died As Madam Grace Said, You Should Urgently Confirm All Your Details, Including Your Total Payment Sum And Attach Your Passport Id For Identification Proof That You Are Still Alive And Never Die, Because Instructions Has Been Given To The Payment Verification Officer’s To Package The Outstanding Approved Funds Into Consignment And To Convey It To Our Cargo Affiliate Handles Agents In Europe, So You Are Required To Confirm Back To Us If Really You Are Still Alive And To Make Your Arrangements Of Traveling To Europe For Immediate Collection Of Your Outstanding Funds.
We Therefore Advise That You To Know That, If After The Next Coming Five Days And We Did Not Receive Your Confirmation That You Are Still Alive We Will Now Direct The Funds To Debts Reconciliation Committee -Drc,(Chairman) To Instruct The Release Package Of The Funds To Madam Grace Shevchenko In Russia.
Treat Urgently And Be Guided By This Message.
Yours in Service,
Mohamed Bello
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Spanish Prisoner Letter
January 31, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
This type of scam (419), originally known as the “Spanish Prisoner Letter”, has been carried out since at least the sixteenth century via ordinary postal mail.
We have been called everything from 419ers, to scammers, and yahoo-yahoo etc by the world and Nigerians have been treated as scum everywhere due to this letter crime.
It is rather interesting to discover that this crime afterall did not originate from Nigeria but Spain; one wonders why it is no longer associated with it origin unlike many other ‘things’ that are to date known by their origins. Is it because it no longer exists in Spain or because Nigeria has been made the escape goat, so that it will be darker than it appears?
Advance fee fraud or ‘419′ fraud (named after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code) is a popular crime with the West African organised criminal networks. There are a myriad of schemes and scams - mail, faxed and telephone promises designed to facilitate victims parting with money. All involve requests to help move large sums of money with the promise of a substantial share of the cash in return.
This type of scam, originally known as the “Spanish Prisoner Letter”, has been carried out since at least the sixteenth century via ordinary postal mail. These scams have come to be associated in the public mind with Nigeria due to the massive proliferation of such confidence tricks from that country since the mid-eighties, although they are often also carried out in other African nations, and increasingly from European cities with large Nigerian populations, notably London and Amsterdam.
The laws from Section 419 and laws in place in other jurisdictions criminalising the offences do not scare away the criminals who profit from these crimes. The stakes and profits are simply too high and many government officials are believed to be involved with the criminal gangs.
Victim’s individual monetary losses can range from the low thousands into multi-millions. True figures are often impossible to ascertain, because many victims, embarrassed by their naiveté and feeling personally humiliated, do not report the crime to the authorities. Others, having lost so much themselves, become “part of the gang” recruiting more victims from their own country of residence. There are tragic cases of victims being unable to cope with the losses and committing suicide.
SOURCE: Met Police
**NOTE: This is not a justification for this economic crime as perpertuated by criminals all over the world.
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Senator Aliyu Apologises
Who Will Bell the ‘Big Cats’ in the Senate for Us?
Senator Aliyu stirred the hornets nest a week today when he alleged on the floor of the senate while contributing to a debate that ‘there are criminals amongst them in the senate’. He averred that while in the police force, he investigated some of these suspected 419ers now turned honourable senators.
Aliyu’s allegation raised a lot of dust within the senate and house of representatives respectively; he even went further to insinuate that he will reveal the identities of the people involved when called to do so. The revelation as we all know is belated. We all know that the upper and the lower houses as presently constituted is not as hallowed as the chambers the sit in. We all thought, Aliyu has come to finally bell the cat
While waiting for the revelation, low and behold the ‘dog’ came around with his tail between his legs to tender an apology to his colleagues.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, last week Wednesday, there was a motion brought before the Senate for debate by the Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics and Financial Crimes. I was a co-sponsor of that motion. During the debate my contribution became controversial and angered many of my colleagues and members of the House of Representatives. The media had a field day. I have come to realise that I am losing my friends in the Senate because of that debate. I do not want to lose them. The controversy of that debate must end. We must be our brothers’ keepers. We must remain absolute, strong and united as a single family. I know both members of the House and Senate have tremendous respect for me. I want to keep that respect,” … Guardian@19.00GMT
One wonders who Aliyu owes allegiance to; his colleagues and friends or the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constitution he swore to protect? OR Has this become another PDP family affair?
Senator Aliyu owes it as a duty to Nigeria and Nigerians to tell us what he knows.
Could Chief Gani Fawehmi or someone out there take Senator Aliyu to court and compel him to tell us who the suspects are, so that they can be properly investigated and if found culpable be tried for the offense.
Who will bell the ‘big cats’ in the senate for Us?
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