VALENTINE OBIENYEM
In September 2024, my daughter’s WhatsApp account was hacked. The hacker, upon discovering it belonged to an adolescent, sent messages to her contacts, requesting N2,000 to attend to an “urgent matter.” The same message was sent to me, and unfortunately, two people on her contact list sent the money.
Determined to see the matter to its conclusion and possibly apprehend the criminal, I decided to play along and also deposited N2,000 into the account provided by the scammer, which was as follows:
• Account Name: Kingsley Izedinor
• Account Number: 0061427063
• Bank: Stanbic IBTC
Armed with the evidence of payment, I approached a police station the following day to report the crime. However, my ordeal started almost immediately.
The policewoman who attended to me initially tried to dissuade me from pursuing the case, arguing that I would only waste my time and resources. I explained to her that my aim was not just to recover the money but to understand how our criminal justice system works. I pointed out that in advanced countries, governments spend millions to pursue crimes involving far smaller amounts to send a clear message to criminals that there is no safe haven. With a half-hearted “I wish you well,” she allowed me to proceed.
The Ordeal at the Police Station
My troubles truly began from that point. First, the police demanded N2,000 just to file the report. After paying, I was taken to another office where I had to part with N5,000 to open a case file.
The officer handling the case then took me to an inspector. The inspector asked if I was truly ready to “spend” for what I was pursuing – specifically, to place a hold on the account the criminal used to receive the funds. I provided the phone number the hacker used to communicate: 07073627769.
The inspector explained that placing an account on hold required a court order and that only the High Court could grant such an ex parte application. Determined to see it through, I accompanied him to the appropriate office – another police Department.
The High Cost of Justice
I ended up paying N150,000 to the police lawyer for the necessary applications to the Federal High Court. Months later, the order is yet to be granted.
A Rotten System
I have deliberately refrained from mentioning the names of the officers or the police stations involved. My purpose is not to single out individuals but to highlight how deeply rotten our criminal justice system is. The problem is systemic, and it requires a total overhaul.
In principle, crime is supposed to be an offence against the state, meaning that victims should not spend a kobo to pursue justice. In Nigeria, however, the reverse is the case. What’s most disheartening is that even after spending heavily, nothing meaningful comes of it.
How can criminals not feel emboldened when it is almost impossible to place a hold on accounts used for fraudulent activities? Because of this and similar frustrations, Nigerians have largely stopped reporting crimes to the police except for record purposes. If simple criminals are not apprehended, how can we effectively address crime in such an environment?
A Lost Cause
As things stand, I will not make any further calls or take any additional steps regarding this case. This is just the Nigerian condition – broken, frustrating, and deeply discouraging.
