₦airaland Forum

This is a one man campaign against the bad press Nigerians have been getting over the years about fraud and corruption. As a Nigerian, I find it is very hard that everyone, including some Nigerians, are quick to point a finger, name and shame, and blame Nigeria for credit card fraud, advance fees fraud (a.k.a. 419 scam) and anything to do with fraud in general. Let’s face it! - FRAUD IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM - not only a Nigerian problem.

This "label" is making it very difficult for me and good honest, hard working Nigerians to do business outside Nigeria. It seems no matter how hard we try this "label" follows us wherever we go. My intention is to make people (you included) aware that, there are genuine Nigerian businesses and individuals who are trustworthy and incredibly good at what they do. I am all for naming and shaming individuals who commit fraud but why blanket an entire country?. The British do not like it when people categorise them as football hooligans, the Spanish as lazy, the French as arrogant, nor do the Americans like it when they are called bullies.

The 419 Scam - Advance Fees
The only people that fall for this scam are the greedy and often corrupted individuals - so they deserve to be conned - that is my view and it’s the only view I take on this subject! If it sounds too good to be true, then walk away.

If you have been affected by this type of fraud or any other types of fraud - please contact the Nigeria Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The authorities in Nigeria are doing everything they can to combat fraud and they are making progress - read the latest news on what the EFCC are doing to fight fraud in Nigeria.

Credit card fraud
Basically means using a credit card that belongs to someone else. This type of fraud has its roots in the western world - developed countries - long before the e-payment or Internet shopping boom. There are bad people all over the world, even on your street, who will do everything to take advantage of the weak, the innocent, and the disadvantaged - so singling out Nigerians is DISCRIMINATION! Report all international fraud committed by Nigerians to the Nigeria Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Corruption
There is corruption everywhere! In developing countries (I hate the term but I will use it to get this point across) it’s simply called CORRUPTION - and in the developed countries - its called CREATIVE ACCOUNTING, WINE & DINE or A DEAL. Corruption occurs in every country every day. So why does everyone single out Nigeria? We did not create it. It’s all about money - a global disease - the most powerful and destructive weapon ever developed by man. In Nigeria and I am sure in your country too, corruption is encouraged largely by companies and individuals who will do anything to win a contract. It takes two to tango, my cry to all those (governments, businesses and individuals) who want to do business in Nigeria is this; if you are asked to pay illegally for something you are not supposed to pay for, walk away. You will be doing us a favour, unless you are one of the greedy ones.

Our problems
Nigeria is not as sophisticated in electronic commerce as some other countries because we are always trying to catch-up with the rest of the world, and by the time we do catch-up, the world has moved on. This is partly because;

We lack the necessary infrastructure to enable us to adapt, adopt and embrace new technologies.
We try to run before we can walk - i.e. we sometimes, in order to please the so call developed countries, implement solutions and or policies that are doomed to failure because of pressure from various countries.
There are many people in Nigeria working hard to ensure we are able to keep up with the pressures and demands for open business and we are making progress.

Is it safe to do business in Nigeria? YES!
Many people and companies are doing business with or in Nigeria everyday. Nigeria is a very big country/market with great potential for growth. We are not as backward as you are made to think. I know most western press (digital or print) only show the jungle, the wars, the disease, the starvation, and the corruption when it comes to talking about Africa in general; its all bad press. But be assured, we do NOT have lions and elephants in our back gardens nor do we dance with monkeys. We are connected to the internet, wired for business, we have cable TV, mobile phones, cars, microwave ovens, Play Stations, DVD, TFT, WiFi - you name it, we've got it.

Remember this - you never do business with a country - you do business with an individual and a single individual does not represent the nation.

Doing business in Nigeria
If it's too good to be true then walk away - you need to think outside-the-box. Nigeria is not UK or USA, so do your research, understand how things work in the country before you step in. If you are worried about getting paid for products or services, then demand payment upfront.


For more info: http://www.nigeriafraud.org/

Of course, I may be wrong, but based on my research here is my findings:

Igbo 65%
Yoruba 25%
Hausa 10%

It is what it is, no disrespect!

I wonder if this list would reveal the true dominant of 419 in Nigeria.

I’m ready to reveal names of 419 lawmakers - Aliyu

The Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, restated in Abuja on Monday that he was ready to disclose the identity of fraudsters in the National Assembly to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.


Senator Aliyu, who said on the Senate floor last week that fraudsters populate the National Assembly, has been under pressure to reveal the identities of the fraudsters.


The senator, who spoke to newsmen in the Assembly on Monday, said he would only honour the summons of the House if Senate President, Senator David Mark, compels him to do so.


The retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, also stated that he would not reveal the identity of the 419 lawmakers to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petition and Privileges which had been mandated to investigate the allegation.


“Nobody invited me to come here. I was not here when I learnt that a number of you (newsmen) visited me in my office to talk to me about what is going on currently in the National Assembly, especially with regards to my stand on offences related to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), what we used to call 419.


“I repeat, and I repeat it again, I stand by what I said. The only thing you are not going to hear from me is the names you want to know. I will not mention these names you want to know. I will not mention those names.


“I will not provide any name to anybody because it would leak. I was prepared to name names on that day but I have changed my mind. I won’t mention names except to the Senate president or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. If it leaks out, I will know the source,” he said.


http://www.ngex.com/cgi-bin/frame/frameit2.plx?link="http://www.tribune.com.ng"

Debosky:

Could you please stay focused and stick to the topic?

how can you post such and expect people not to fight?? people go hammer themselves for here.

Believe it or not, if folks could just maintain by focusing and exhibiting matureness, this could be the beginning of the rectification of 419 in Nigeria.

Aren't you tired of receiving fake letters 7 times a day from Abacha's family?

why don't you go ahead and tell me?

I'm just curious; who are the main dominant of 419 in Nigeria?
A. Igbo
B. Yoruba
C. Hausa
D. Equally Dominated

Please, no fighting!

yes Okiro has dignity, afterall na him be the first IG to send someone go school based on orders from person wey dey prison.

@mikeansy my good friend:
Don't you think this is a Little bit too much for you? Please, stay away and don't get your shirt wrinkled

@MAMAJAMA:
There is no need to call names; it isn't about Big B1 or MAMAJAMA, it's all about Okiro and the original jellyfish called EHINDERO.
Why can't you relax and let us play around with the facts on the ground?

Do you want me to bring it all out, my friend?
I can even tell you Ehindero's current location and what he ate this afternoon!

Just like how I've never believed in Ehindero, that's how i will never listen to Okiro.
I mean, what is the difference between the two of them?

OKIRO:
Mike Okiro is a man of dignity, who has self respect and respect for the Nigerian police depart.
Mike Okiro doesn't think about his pocket before taking any action.
Mike Okiro did not contribute to the destruction of Ibadan.
Mike Okiro did not contribute to the implementation of the last election rigging all over the country.
Mike Okiro cares about restoring the great image of Nigerian police depart more than anything.
Mike Okiro understands the roles of a leader and he's determined to exhibit them as much as possible in everything.
Mike Okiro purely understands and respects the constitution of Nigeria.

EHINDERO:
Ehindero is a confirmed jellyfish.
Ehindero only gets involved in projects that benefit him (kick backs)
Ehindero absolutely contributed to the down fall of Ibadan.
Ehindero was the main foundation of the last election rigging (operation DO or DIE).
Ehindero generally did not care about the image or well being of the Nigerian police (in fact, he intentionally retained and deposited Nigerian police funds in various banks in Nigeria, while this department was struggling and continued to severely disintegrate. It was also confirmed that he collected all interest accrued from the banks for his personal projects).
Ehindero truly didn't understand his roles; he was busy getting involved in things that had nothing to do with him or his roles as the head of Nigerian police.
Ehindero happens to be a lawyer, but knows nothing about the constitution of Nigeria.

Fact: Ehindero was one of the folks Ribadu wasn't supposed to touch; even though he is as dirty as a farm pig.
The removal of Ribadu was a major bummer to Ehindero's family. This is why he's currently laying very low and kissing every as s in the country to remain free.

Time will tell.

MAMAJAMA:
You don't know what you're talking about as usual. Ehindero is a pure failure and this is why this man walks around in Nigeria today with one leg and pretty much kissing any as s to stay free; it is written down, he will be arrested at anytime; and my man, you know it and your entire family knows it too.
You guys (Ehindero's family) have been to everywhere from juju shrine to Catholic church, but I can assure you that it is a matter of time, Ehindero will be arrested.

And please, stop disrespecting Mike Okiro, you've got to be severely retarded to make an attempt to compare OKIRO to EHINDERO.

How many Nigerians trust the police? I'm sorry but the Nigerian Police do not serve the people but themselves.

You can not blame the police; if their mighty boss (Ehindero) had distributed the allocated fund appropriately, things would have been better in Nigeria.

I told Mr. President to think of a policeman transferred from Sokoto to F.C.T. on a salary of about N8,000 a month. What can he do for himself, except to live in uncompleted buildings or in abandoned vehicles? The President realised that we cannot be talking of the nation’s security without looking into the welfare of the policemen

Absolutely exceptional and a sign of a true leader, who craves for progress.
Only if EHINDERO was this good and sincere, security in Nigeria would have been much better today.

Thanks God for allowing us to witness the end of Operation let me eat and my eyes will turn blind

@Rebirth:
You're absolutely on point.
There are only 2 ways of doing things: we have the right way and the wrong way!
Many call Yar'Adua "Baba go slow", I think this should be seen as a compliment to him and a confirmation that Yar'Adua is capable of elevating this country back to the top
For the first time in many years, we have an intelligent leader who profoundly thinks before making moves and who sincerely cares about Nigeria.
As we all know, Nigerians are generally known to be bunch of rush heads, that crave for short-cuts strategies in everything they do; they're definitely not used to this type of style and may never.
Therefore, I'm not surprised that many Nigerians today continue to cry like bunch of babies, castigating our president for taking his time.
Ribadu, an incredible Nigerian, but his removal simply remains the best thing that has ever happened to war against corruption in Nigeria.
Just because someone is determined and courageous doesn't mean this person also has the right strategy or capable of accomplishing a specified goal.
A successful war against corruption in Nigeria ingenuously requires more than just determination and courage; and I don't think one has to be a scientist to decipher this fact.

May God bless Nigeria.

Obama is far from being done.
I just hope that the rappers (p diddy and phat farm) and other activists (Shapton, Jessie Jackson and others) stay home and continue to indirectly support OBAMA.

Their public support could severely damage the image Obama is trying to paint in order to get more white votes.
Because without the white votes President Obama will not happen on this planet.

This is the beginning of another political game to compromise our intelligence and also an indirect introduction of selective justice with different cover.
It is time to stop all this business as usual process in Nigeria; this country will remain stationary for many years to come if we do not immediately revisit and restructure the way we think.

Sometimes you have to take unique steps to be successful.
I think the names of these thieves should never be protected under every circumstance. Their punishment should be severe and they should be immediately released from their various positions.

This is totally unacceptable and purely senseless; how could you have criminals in a position to design our constitution?

With out any doubt, nobody deserves to be killed, but enough is enough about this Vatsa propaganda.
It is part of leadership role to be firmed; the coup plotter could even be your own brother and it shouldn't matter, once that line is crossed you're going down regardless of the relationship between you (the coup plotter) and the military president.

That is the name of the game.

so tell me one good thing that IBB did as a Nigerian?

He did not castrate EHINDERO!

How did I know that Mckren debosky will come out swinging?

He killed his best friend because of power, what is more damning?

May the man's soul rest in peace!
But we should pay attention to military protocol and get our facts together before pointing finger.

Absolutely a step toward the right direction .


Top Federal Government positions should not be seen as pepper soup and business as usual. we need real dedicated professionals to handle Nigerian Fed Govt daily activities.

All top federal government official positions should be immediately made unattractive. This move will further reduce the high numbers of the gold diggers who we currenly have holding these positions and heavily milking this country.
It will also give the Mr and Mrs nobodies opportunities to hold these positions and sincerely contribute toward rebuilding this nation.

Enough is enough, the thieves must be sent home.

It is a pity that IBB's mistakes have overshadowed his great qualities as a leader.
Well, at least he did not have sex with his daughter in-law.

I still think he's one of the most intelligent leaders Nigeria has ever produced. His dynamic capabilities are exceptional.
I welcome another IBB as the president of Nigeria, but with less mistakes.

It is not about what you expect but more about how responsible I choose to be with the time I have to spend on this planet.

My man, it is obvious that our thinking levels are purely anomalous; why can't you do yourself a favor and move on?

Rubbish!!! Not everyone thinks like you do, sorry!!!! I have no reason to concern myself with the man's sex life.

Yeah, I don't expect you to

Only God knows how much trouble this mighty Viagra will cause in this world.
I remember back in the days when grandpas were sincere, honest and used to chill/ lay down in-front of the house for most of the day getting fresh air and narrating all kind of old stories. Those were the days, the priceless moment and unforgettable memories.

The grandpas of today are pretty much active and very busy looking for available young as s with their Viagra bottle.

I guess, it is true that old soldier (OBJ) remains strong and never dies!

On a serious note: This is the first time I truly feel very bad for OBJ and I hope that all these sex allegations are not true. 
Believe it or not, I honestly wish him the best.

Dude,
he lives in Minna, please feel free to go get am.

All "419" lawmakers should be immediately fired and prosecuted

I just don't get it.

If the "419" lawmakers are legally being protected, what hope do we have left in Nigeria?

David Mark stops Ex-DIG from naming ‘419’ lawmakers

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, caused a stir on the floor of the Senate yesterday when he threatened to name members of the National Assembly whom he investigated for Advance Fee Fraud (otherwise known as 419) when he was Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Criminal Investiga-tions Department (CID).


He issued the threat while contributing to a debate on a motion on the direction and tempo of the war on corruption by the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Senate President, Senator David Mark, however, stopped him from going further, saying the matter had been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

But on the motion on EFCC and anti-graft war, the Senate resolved to invite the acting Chairman of the commission, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ibrahim Lamorde, to brief it on the state of the commission’s activities.

Also, the upper legislative chamber agreed to urge the Federal Government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the crusade.

President Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua recently approved that the EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, should proceed on course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru while Lamorde moves in as acting chairman.

The Senate President had anchored his decision to refer the ex-DIG’s threat to the Ethics committee on the point of order on breach of privileges raised by Senator Ayogu Eze.

Senator Eze had said that Aliyu was impugning the character of the entire National Assembly and by implication breaching his personal privilege as a member of the Senate by suggesting that the National Assembly was a den of fraudsters.

He had urged the Senate to compel Senator Aliyu to mention names, a challenge that Aliyu accepted.

Aliyu said he was going to mention names of legislators involved in Advance Fee fraud, but the Senate President sought the indulgence of the Senate to refer the matter of breach of privilege to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Senator Aliyu had while contributing to debate on the motion said he totally agreed with the content of the motion.

According to him, “I totally agree with the motion. I want to say that both Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde served under me in the Police Force. A tree cannot make a forest. So far, so good for Mr. President for doing a fantastic job and everybody is proud to be called a senator under your leadership.”

Aliyu said Ribadu made a world of difference at EFCC, but added: “I want to say with regrets that in the National Assembly, we still have 419ners. I was in charge of Force CID where the person now replacing Ribadu served.”

He said the Police was in a very hopeless situation, stressing that without the EFCC law the 419ners would have had a field day.

A heated argument then ensued on the issue, but it took the intervention of the Senate President to douse the tension.

Mark directed the Senate Committee on Ethics to look into the breach of personal privilege that Senator Eze complained of and gave the committee two weeks to report back to the Senate.

The Senate’s decision to summon Lamorde was sequel to a motion co-sponsored by Senators Sola Akinyede, Anthony Manzo, Ayogu Eze, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Olorunnimbe Mamora, Ayo Arise, Dahiru Kuta and eight others.

Senator Akinyede, Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, moved the motion.

Akinyede said the motion was to address the concern of many Nigerians, pointing out that he had not taken the floor to praise Ribadu.

He said having raised the anti-corruption war to a very high level, the tempo should be sustained.

The motion entitled, “Direction and Tempo of the War on Corruption,” reads: “Senate notes that the war on corruption is one of the seven-point agenda of the present administration.

“Senate is concerned that there is a growing concern by Nigerian public and international community about the signals emanating from the recent developments at the EFCC.

“It observes that virtually all our major partners in the international community, including Transparency International and the United Nations have expressed their concern.

“It observes that recently the United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes stated that it required re-assurance before it would continue with $30 million anti-corruption facility which it had planned for Nigeria.

“Senate observes that the increase in Direct Foreign Investment in Nigeria and the de-listing of Nigeria from the list of Non-Cooperating Nations and Territories by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a direct result of the action of EFCC against the perpetrators of Advance Fee Fraud (419) and related offences, and a direct benefit of the gains Nigeria has made in the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes.”

The Senate further observed that it was imperative that the Nigerian public and the nation’s international partners were reassured about the tempo and direction of the war against corruption.

Seconding the motion, Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the motion was not about an individual.

He stated that the perception was that the tempo of anti-corruption war had gone down, pointing out that that perception was not correct.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, said the motion was about the institution of the EFCC, stressing that he would support the move that the Senate give the Executive branch latitude to explain its actions.

Senator Uche Chukwumerije said the Senate should do everything that would strengthen the vitality of EFCC.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights, Senator Umaru Dahiru, drew the attention of the Senate to the fact that since Ribadu’s tenure allegedly expired since May last year, “nobody cared to bring his name here to the Senate for the purpose of confirming his re-appointment.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, said there was need to strengthen EFCC operations and ensure that it was not manipulated by the incumbent Executive head for political reasons.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Information, Senator Anthony Manzo, said the President had the power to hire and fire the EFCC Chairman, adding that if the President must hire another person for the job, he (President) must forward his or her name to the Senate for confirmation.

Vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Patrick Osakwe, said the fight against corruption was a collective task by Nigerians and admonished EFCC against being selective if it must earn the confidence of Nigerians as an anti-corruption agency.

Vice Chairman of the Committee on Communi-cations, Senator Joseph Akargerger, said he supported the motion, stressing that “anybody who believes in the Nigeria project will support the anti-corruption war.”

Senator Kola Bajomo told the Senate that Lamorde was stepping into a big shoe that Ribadu was leaving behind at EFCC.

But Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, said nobody was indispensable even as he insisted that there were undercurrents that led to the approval of the NIPSS course for Ribadu.

Chairman, Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Senator Lee Maeba, decried corruption, saying “it is weapon of mass destruction.”

While ruling on the prayers contained in the motion, the Senate President, Senator Mark, said the Senate had failed in its duty by not inviting EFCC as constitutionally prescribed to brief it on its activities.


http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jan/24/209.html

MAMAJAMA:

Please, for once, could you use your common sense?
There is nobody asking OBJ to be prosecuted for making passion love to his daughter in-law. Our focus here is to point out what is despicable and must never never be accepted in any society.
For once, we should also pay attention to the children, who are watching and will also rule this country one day in future. We must point it out to them that being the president of a nation doesn't permit you to screw your family member sexually, emotionally, physically or mentally.

It is totally unacceptable under every circumstance.

Lack of dedicated and focused Leader continues to be our main problem in Nigeria today; and despicable allegations like this gives no other choice, but a reconfirmation that Nigerians are the only factor killing Nigeria as a nation.
Leadership role in general in Nigeria must be revisited and immediately restructured; we must quickly upgrade the quality of leadership in our society by raising the standard of the acceptance of leaders (who should be seen as leader and what qualifies one to be a leader ).
Leader is not wealth!
You just don't pick one as a leader just because he or she is loaded; I think this is what is being mixed up on our mind in Nigeria today. For example, chieftaincy titles are mostly given to folks as soon as they become very rich.
I truly do not think this is the right way to do things; it is absolutely a sensible method to send a wrong message.
Leadership is much more than big cars, big houses, big mouth or how many wives one has; leadership is discipline, willpower, integrity, endurance, honesty and many more.
Leadership courses should be introduced vigorously in all Nigerian schools at all levels.

Therefore, we do not have any interest in prosecuting OBJ for his sex scandal, but we must use this as a lesson to empower the future leaders, which in return will benefit Nigeria as a country.