The advent of GSM in Nigeria, though, a laudable feat, has added a new dimension to crime. In some instances, there are those who use it for mischief. The mobile phone has made communication easier and widespread. Irrespective of class or educational level, one can own a mobile phone and as many Sims as possible without hassle.
Until lately when the regulatory body, the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC took the decision to enforce compulsory registration of Sims, the use of mobile phones in Nigeria was subject to a lot of abuses. Even now, it is still possible for a caller to conceal his or her number.
However, experts say that there are a number of ways to trace calls or messages from any given phone. Each phone, experts say, have unique serial number and other specific features only peculiar to it.
Many government officials are increasingly becoming susceptible to receiving calls or text messages from people that they do not know. These calls or text messages are usually to embarrass them. This is the more reason why many people do not pick calls from strange numbers.
While you may be at liberty to refuse to answer a call from a strange caller, it is not possible to bar text messages from strange number; at least not for now. Ask any top government functionary how many of such strange messages he or she gets in a day; a week or a month; you will be shocked by the figure you are likely to get.
It would not have mattered much if these messages are merely limited to a single individual; the messages are often syndicated and sent to as many whose numbers are in their possession with the intention of embarrassing their target.
The use of text messages according to the Kogi State newly posted commissioner of police Saidu Madawaki to smear the reputation of people in position of authorities and to defraud them has been on the increase in the State. This he vowed to stop on his assumption of office.
Result so far indicate that the State Police Command recently made a breakthrough.
A week ago, the Kogi State Police Command nabbed one of those who have formed the habit of tarnishing the image of top government officials through syndicated messages. The 26-year old man, Olaiya Ibeun, who was paraded by the police, allegedly sent over 500 bulk text messages, making insinuations with the intent of tarnishing the image of the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi, and several other persons whom, he presented in bad light in most of the messages.
In one of the messages, he had alleged that the Deputy Governor, was to use the resources of Mopamuro Local Government Council (where both he and the Deputy Governor hail from) to develop a property on Lewis Street, Lagos. In another message, he accused the Deputy Governor of bringing into Mopamuro bags of rice, allegedly donated to victims of last year’s flood in the state with the sole aim of getting them to vote for his choice candidate at the local government election.
Olaiya did not stop there. In yet another message, he alleged that the Deputy Governor, arm-twisted the Director of Local Government, who took charge of the council prior to the local government election, to part with the sum of N50 million to help perfect the winning of his anointed candidate.
It was clear that it was a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. For only God knows why, Olaiya was bent on destroying the person of the Deputy Governor.
In other to create a decoy,he also defamed his family members all to serve as smoke screen. Along the line of his mischief, Olaiya gave the Deputy Governor and other of his victims a condition that would make him stop sending further defaming messages.
The suspect, a Mass Communication graduate, the police said, is a specialist in using the internet to smear the reputation of well-meaning Nigerians. According to the Commissioner of Police, Saidu Madawaki, the phone he uses for the messages has been recovered. He disclosed that the Sims number is +224811331529.
Apart from sending the messages to impugn on the integrity of his targets, Olaiya is also said to be engaged in defrauding unsuspecting individuals. According to the police, he was arrested after the police successfully tracked down the lady; he allegedly used her bank account to extort money from one of his victims. Olaiya was subsequently picked up in Kaduna.
Olaiya, the police, maintained is one of those unscrupulous Nigerians who are bent on destroying the good intention of government by the introduction of mobile phone. People like Olaiya, the police further maintained, take immense delight in destroying the good reputation built by people for just no cause.
As he does that, Olaiya, ensured that he leaves no trace. The text messages did suggest that he went to school. His was deliberate and not ignorance. He did not want it traced to him so he even insulted his close relatives. He was in Kaduna and yet, most of his victims which included, the chairman of Mopamuro, Funsho Daniyan, Eric Fiki and other top government functionaries are all in Kogi State.
Reacting, the media aide to the Deputy Governor, Abu Micheal said, “It is sad that a young man, who should devote his energy to productive endeavors, is rather out seeking for who he will destroy for no just cause. The Deputy Governor is pained by the fact that the messages are to create disaffection between him and his people”.
Mr Abu said, he is yet to find any reason why a young man would chose to thread the path of self-destruction. Commenting on the allegations in some of the messages, he said, “They are unfounded. They are tissues of fabricated lies meant to tarnish the good reputation my principal has built for himself over the years. The allegations, I will say, are a calculated attempt to rubbish an innocent man by a man, whose sole motive, is to satisfy his hunger through a very crooked means. Of course he is likely not alone”.
On what would be the next line of action by his boss, Mr Abu said, “My boss could ignore any other allegation but certainly, not the one that is intended to defame him; rubbish his integrity and smear his character. I can assure that he is very sensitive about his reputation”.
If the body language of the Commissioner of Police is anything to go by, Olaiya might be in for a long-drawn legal battle as the law will certainly take its course to serve as a deterrent.
An inside source disclosed that, “those who are defamed by Olaiya’s action have demanded for proofs for all the allegations.
For the Deputy Governor, Abu said he may look simple on any other issue but he never jokes with matters of integrity. He is a stickler for due process, honesty and an embodiment of integrity”said the decision can only be taken by him.
The police it is gathered may also cash in on the situation to make a scapegoat of Olaiya. It was learnt on good authority that there are similar cases waiting for the police to unearth. The Olaiya case might just provide the police with the opportunity to send clear signals to Olaiya’s co-travellers that their days are numbered.
By Adeyinka Tunde
