Nigeria’s fraud scandals and ethnic stereotypes

THE rate at which Nigerians in the Diaspora are being accused and convicted of various criminal acts is extremely disheartening. Without any iota of doubt, it is casting a dent on the image of the country. Just a few days ago, Nigerians woke up to receive the shocking news of the 77 Nigerians that were investigated and convicted by the United States government of fraud. These men were found guilty of fraudulently acquiring a total amount of money worth $46 million from organisations, people, and firms. In fact, one of them was reported to have through defrauded a Japanese woman of money worth about $200,000 which almost made her run amok. This recent case is believed by the US government to be the largest case of its kind in the history of the country.  It will also be recalled that few days before the indictment, a famous Nigerian youth and entrepreneur, Obinwanne Okeke, alias Invictus Obi, was equally investigated and tracked down by the FBI for fraud.

There are also numerous cases of criminal acts perpetrated by Nigerians in other countries, which have left these countries with no other option than to prosecute these offenders without any hesitation. Early this year,  there were reports in the dailies about five Nigerians who were arrested and convicted by the United Arab Emirate’s authority for robbing a Bureau de Change operator of DH2.3million in Sharjai, Dubai. The suspects were identified as Chimunaya Emmanuel Ozoh, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard and Chile Micah Ndunagu. However, there have been diverse reactions by Nigerians on the various social media platforms over this issue, incessant money laundering scandals and other evils perpetrated by Nigerians overseas in recent years till date. There has been a debate regarding whether or not the major set of people who are usually found guilty of these crimes from the southeastern part of Nigeria.

A critical examination of the 80-man fraud list shows that about 80 per cent of the accused persons are from the South-East. Coincidentally, the indicted young Nigerian entrepreneur is also of Igbo origin. Some of those reacting Nigerians on the social media were thus quoted as saying: “The igbo people, right from time, have been known to be attached to any act that has to do  embezzlement.” They cited various examples of previous occurrences.   However, this should not be our focus as Nigerians. Instead, the question that should keep ringing in the minds of a reasonable Nigerian is whether the Igbo are Nigerians and whether they do not belong to the system. What most of those commenting on the social media fail to realise is this: if any drastic action is taken by the governments of the affected countries, the stereotyped set of people wouldn’t  be the only affected ones. Rather, it would be an injury to all.  After all, there are countless notable Igbo persons home and abroad who are doing the country proud and putting its name on the global map.

For instance, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a prolific and award-winning writer who has touched lives and served as a role model to upcoming educationists like her. Chinwetel Ejiokor is also a Nigerian American actor who has starred in so many world class movies, to mention but a few. This shouldn’t be a time to fault anyone or point the finger at anyone or ethnic group. This can only increase the level of hatred that members of different ethnic groups have for one another. It is high time Nigerians admitted that “our people” are the ones bringing the country into disrepute, and worked towards rebuilding its battered image.  Let us stop the blame game. All hands must be on deck to help the various anti-corruption agencies fight every form of financial crime and fraudulent act here at home, to avoid rubbing our white garments in the mud. An injury to one is an injury to all.

• Olaide is a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Sokoto State.