THE PRICE OF JUSTICE

THINGS I LEARNED FROM 419s
In Nigeria, if you get scammed and the perpetrators are brought to justice, you need to have a lawyer present in court to represent you, quite separate from those appearing for the prosecution. The Government only funds prosecuting counsel for cases involving capital crimes.

The Scammers
Ahmed Bello - (or Bello Ahmed) of the "EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE"
Maxwell Obiekwu, "THE PRINCIPAL PARTNER OF MAXWELL AND MAXWELL CHAMBERS" and self-proclaimed "HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST"
George Dimba, Maxwell Obiekwu's Western Union identity

The Baiter
Malcolm Reynolds - previously featured in WE AIM TO MISBEHAVE, YOU ARE A GREAT PILOT and A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

Western Union has but a cameo role in this one...


Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

ECONOMIC & FINACIAL CRIMES COMMISSION
1 Ibrahim Taiwo road
Aso Rock Villa PMB 166
FCT Abuja,
Nigeria.
Attn: Sir/mad,
Hope this mail find you in an excellent condition of health..
Meanwhile we didn't forget you're past efforts and attempts to assist our fellow country men ,who attended to fraud you in some year back, through the means of money transferring to your account. those scammers despite that it failed us some how by use the name of our country in vain ( 419 ) Now contact secretary of Nigeria EFCC (ECONOMIC & FINACIAL CRIMES COMMISSION) In which the Nigeria Government has set side for your compensation for all your past efforts and attempts to assist this duped character (419) we appreciated your efforts at that time very much .so feel free and get in touch with us with your full information and the information of the people claim the be honest and doput your money.
For verification you are reqiured to send every information you have use in sending money to the people here in nigeria becuase we have set a pannel to the every Bank that has make the payment through WESTERN UNION TO ASSIST US IN THIS CHARACTER.
We will been expecting to hear from you before this GOVERNMENT WILL SEND COMPENSATION BASE ON THIS MATTER.
The federal Government has set out standing fund to every people that has been defrauded from defferent ways.
Your conpensaction will be held here in federal government tressure of one fifty thussand Dollars $ 150.000.00 affter the verfication.
With best regards,
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR, BELLO. AHMED


[Scam-o-note: The Nigerian Economic & Financial Crimes Commission exists, and this Lad has nothing to do with them. But you knew that.]


[OK, I confess to all but pinching Lewd Noogie's opening line... ]

Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
It is true that I was a victim of scammers in Nigeria.
I am very pleased to find out that something is being done to punish those criminals, but do you really think you can help me recover at least part of the money I lost?
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
You should do us a favor if you want us to excell in this task. we assure you that you will be compensated the sum of $150,000.00 and also recover part of the money you snet to those idiots if not all.
Please send to us the name of those scammers, their phone and fax numbers, their email addresses, information of western union you sent and how much you were scammed.
We there information to enable us track them down.
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR. BELLO AHMED


[Details of Lads and fees were drawn from another bait. ]


Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
Here are such details as remain in my records.
The first name in each entry is, I presume, the mastermind; the other are, I assume, lackeys to whom I was instructed to send the cash.
I realise now that I should have listened to you back then. I chose not to. I apologise for what I said.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds
**.
GINA ADAMU & ASSOCIATES
10, ADESOLA STREET, LAGOS NIGERIA
TEL: 234-8039143164
EMAIL: ginaadamu33@yahoo.com
Mr Mike Benson
Lagos Nigeria
US$2,550; AMOUNT: US$4,540
**.
Dr Mark Williams
WORLD BANK AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS-NIGERIA
EMAIL: worldbankauditors_nigeria09@yahoo.com
TEL: + 234-80230 92353
EROKWU CHARLES
LAGOS NIGERIA.
$300; $600; $1500
DANIEL ALOZIE
21 DAVIES STREET, LAGOS, NIGERIA
$480; $1,780



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
We have received your email.
With these information, it will enhance the possible trace of these animals. We assure you that they will surely be brought to book. Like i have told you, alot of those criminals are in our net and we will let you know when they are arrested.
I want to lastly tell you that you should forge ahead to claim your $150,000.00 compensation selated by Nigerian government to pay to those victim of these scammers. For you to claim the $150,000.00 compensation, you have to come to Nigeria to sign , but if you cannot come in person, you need to get a lawyer to sign on your behalf. If you cannot come, we suggest you contact Barrister Maxwell Obiekwu of Maxwell and Maxwell Chambers to sign on your behalf , his email is maxwellobiekwuchambers@hotmail.com Tell him to come to EFCC that you have poending case with them that needs his signature.
We would be waiting to hear from you.
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR. BELLO AHMED



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
I am very grateful for your assistance, particularly after the way I dissed you before. If there is any more information that can help you, just ask me and I'll try to find it.
Isn't there something else I can do to help find these crooks? The compensation isn't the most important thing right now.
I want you to find those animals and shut them down.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds


[I had once received a recovery scam mail from an Ahmed Bello, but as it was early in my baiting career, I didn't make proper use of it and just insulted the Lad. Hence the bit about "the way I dissed you before" and previously, "I should have listened to you back then". Unfortunately, this was never developed.]


[This is where things started getting a little bit - well, surreal, with the mention of the need for a "lawyer for presecution".]

Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
You still need to get a lawyer for prosecution as we have clue of arresting one in osogbo area of osun state.
Contact the lawyer as we are now in a democratic settings and everything will be done within the ambit of the law.
We would be waiting to hear from you.
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR. BELLO AHMED



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
Are you seriously telling me that I have to contact a lawyer to get some gorram low-life conman prosecuted? Isn't that your job?
Malcolm Reynolds



[Well, I asked, and I get this. Doesn't sound like any legal system that I know.]

Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
We will get them arrested and arraign them court, but the rule of law must be followed. They will surely take their own lawyer to defend them and you need to take yours as well so that justice will be done as it ought to be.



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
This ain't helping me understand - are you saying that I have to bring a private prosecution against those crooks?
I know that Nigeria ain't the USA or Australia, but it can't be right that I have to retain a lawyer to do the job of prosecutors.
Malcolm Reynolds



[No explanations, just the inexorable demand for money for a lawyer, and a demand that I missed - should have slapped him for "Get us this lawyer now".]

Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
If you really want these animals to be brought to book, get us this lawyer to commence his work. We have arrested one person and others will surely be arrested as far as they remain in this country.
The arrested suspect will be taken to court by monday.
Get us this lawyer now.



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
You caught one? That's great! Which one?
Well, on that note, I'll contact the lawyer.
I still wonder why, a bit...
Malcolm Reynolds



Malcolm Reynolds

Dear Sir,
I have been informed by Mr Ahmed Bello of the EFCC that I require your services.
As far as I know, he is in a better position to brief you on this. His email address is given above.
His telephone number is 234-802-933-1945.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



[Every scam involves a Lawyer sooner or later... but not many of them claim the mantle of "COURAGIOUS [sic]... HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST" This is one I'm going to enjoy tormenting. ]

Maxwell Obiekwu

MAXWELL AND MAXWELL CHAMBERS
SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES
ADDRESS: NO 5 AYODELE STREET, FADEYI, LAGOS NIGERIA.
TEL. 234 80 34283765
EMAIL: maxwellobiekwuchambers@hotmail.com
ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR EMAIL, THE CONTENT THEREIN WELL COMPREHENDED. I WANT TO RESPOND TO YOUR EMAIL TODAY SO AS TO ENABLE KNOW WHAT IS DESIRED BEFORE I WILL FIND OUT FROM THE BANK THE AUTHENTICITY OF YOUR CLAIM.
I MUST AT THIS JUNCTURE INTRODUCE MYSELF; I AM BARRISTER MAXWELL OBIEKWU, THE PRINCIPAL PARTNER OF MAXWELL AND MAXWELL CHAMBERS OF NO5 AYODELE STREET, FADEYI, AND LAGOS NIGERIA. I HAVE SPENT 32 YEARS IN THIS PROFESSION AND WON ALOT OF CASES AND ALSO A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST. I WAS AMONG THOSE COURAGIOUS LAWYERS THAT FOUGHT THE LATE GENERAL SANI ABACHA IN ITS DARK DAYS.
WELL, I SHALL GO TO THEEFCC OFFICE BY MONDAY TO FIND OUT GRAVITY OF THE CASE, AS YOU KNOW, TODAY IS SUNDAY , NOTHING WILL BE DONE.
I SHALL UPDATE YOU ONCE I AM BACK FROM COURT.
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
Thank you for a prompt response. I'll hold back on explanations as I don't want to bigfoot Mr Bello at the EFCC.
Your record looks worthy. Perhaps you can tell me about this General Abacha. What did he do? I don't like to Google if I can hear about things first-hand.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
LATE GENERAL SANI ABACHA WAS THE HIGHEST TYRANT THIS COUNTRT ERVER HAD, HE WAS SO BRUTAL AND KILLED MAY HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVIST, ALOT RAN OUT OF THIS COUNTRY, ALOT INCULDING ME WAS INCACERATED .TODAY WE ARE ENJOYING DEMOCRACY FOR THE PRICE WE HAVE PAID DURING HIS DARK DAYS.
HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STUDY YOUR CASE, I HAVE TOLD THE COURT TO ADJOURN THE CASE TILL FRIDAY TO ENABLE ME GET SOME AFFIDAVITS IN HIGH COURT OF THE LAND.
YOU ARE TO REGISTER WITH THIS CHAMBER WITH THE SUM OF $550.00 SO THAT IT WILL BE USED TO GET SOME VITAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THE AFFIDAVITS AND ORDER OF THE JUSTICE MINISTER.
ONCE YOU ARE READY TOSEND THIS MONEY, LET THIS CHAMBER KNOW SO AS TO ADVICE YOU ON HOW IT SHOULD BE SENT TO US. THANKS
REGARDS
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU


[Well, I'm impressed - or rather, I would be, were this guy the real deal.]


Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
That's one hell of a story. It deserves to be more widely told. Perhaps you can send me some more details sometime. I have to ask, though - are we talking about the compensation claim or the criminal case? Mr Ahmed said that you were handling both, which is a little bit confusing.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
IF YOU ARE CURRENT WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS, YOU WILL KNOW OF GEN. SANI ABACHA.
HE WAS IN HIS DAYS UNLAWFULLY EXECUTED OGONIS, THESE WERE SOME MEN THAT CAME TO GEN. ABACHA IN HIS DAYS TO TELL HIM THAT THE WEALTH OF THIS COUNTRY CAME FROM THEIR LAND AND THAT THEY ARE SUFFERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONS , ECOLOGICAL DEGREDATION, THAT FISHES IN THEIR RIVERS ARE ALL DEAD AND THEIR FARMLANDS ARE ALL POLLUTED BECAUSE OF OILSPIRAGE, INSTEAD OF GEN. SANI ABACHA TO MEET THE YARNINGS OF THESE PEOPLE, HE ORDERED THAT THEY SHOULD BE EXECUTED BY HANGING. THESE MEN WERE EXECUTED AND I WAS ANGRY AND TRAVELLED TO SOUT AFRICA TO TELL THE WHOLE WORD WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR CUNTRY, ON MY WAY COMING BACK, I WAS PICKED UP AT THE MURTALA MOHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY SECURITY SERVICES AND DETAINED FOR 4 GOOD YEARS.
INFACT THIS MAN WAS DEVIL AND THE GOD TAOOK HIM AWAY FROM US OTHERWISE MORE WOULD HAVE DIED. WELL THAT IS BY GONE AND JUST LIKE HISTORY FOR THOSE WHO WERE NOT AMONG US THAT FOUGHT THIS DEMOCRACY.
AS REGARDS YOUR CASE, I WILL SIGN FOR THE COMPENSATION AND ALSO FOLLOW UP THIS CASE TO THE LAST POINT TO ENSURE JUSTICE IS DONE. I NEED THIS $550.00 TO GET THE PAPERS THAT EMPOWER ME TO CARRY OUT THIS CASE ON YOUR BEHALF. I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT THE $150,000.00 WILL BE WIRED TO YOUR ACCOUNT TOMORROW ONCE I HAVE THE $550.00 TODAY AND ALSO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHERE YOU WISH THE TRANSFER SHOULD BE MADE TO.
THE $550.00 SHOULD BE SENT AS FOLLOWS:
RECEIVER'S NAME:GEORGE DIMBA
ADDRESS:LAGOS NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION:WHEN?
ANSWER:TODAY
SENDER'S NAME:MACOLM REYNOLDS
AMOUNT:$550.00
JUST ENSURE THE MONEY IS SENT AS STATED ABOVE, SEND THE MTCN AND YOUR BANK DETAILS TO ME TODAY SO THAT BY TOMORROW THE $150,000.00 WILL BE WIRED TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU


[Well - he wants Western Union, but never actually says so... The part about the men hanged after protesting to General Abacha may refer to the tragic judicial murder of Ken Saro-wira and others. To incorporate that atrocity into a scam is nothing to a Lad, but it means he'll get no mercy from Malcolm!]


Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
Man, that is a sad story.
Tell you what - when this is done and dusted you'll have to give me the warts and all account and I'll do what I can to make it well known in the West.
Look, my compensation ain't that big a deal - it can wait. Shelve it and put your efforts into putting those maggots behind bars.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
Your lawyer was in our office today, he has taken the survey in your case and promised to come back if both of you have amical understanding in pursuit of the case. We have assured him that once he has signed the required documents, we will pay him the compensation.
So always ensure you get him to come tomorrow for signing that is if he has taken the required authority from hight court of the land as some affidavits will surely be sworn.
We will be waiting to see him tomorrow



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
Your language is confusing.
What do you mean by "he has taken the survey in your case"?
And what's the deal with him "promis[ing] to come back if both of [us] have amical understanding in pursuit of the case"? He doesn't have to like it; he just has to do it!
In any event, I've told him to put the compensation matter on hold and concentrate on the matter of prosecuting the conmen who ripped me off.
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
I NEED THE $550.00 TO GET THE AFFIDAVITS SO AS TO ENABLE NAIL THEM .
SO SEND THE MONEY IF REALLY YOU WANT THIS PEOPLE TO BE PURNISHED BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET SOME AFFIDAVIT FROM HIGH COURT OF THE LOAND BEFORE I WILL REPRESENT YOU.
THANKS
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
Are you seriously suggesting that I have to fund the prosecution of those low-life rats who ripped me off?
Regards,
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
YOU HAVE TO FUND THE PROSECUTION IF YOU WANT JUSTICE BE BROUGHT UPON THEM.
YOU MATTER HOW YOU CLASSIFY THEM, THE LAW NEED TO PROVE THEM WRONG BEFORE THEY WILL BE JAILED. YOU JUST HAVE TO SEND THE MONEY IF YOU WANT JUSTICE TO BE BROUGHT AGAINST THESE PEOPLE.BECAUSE ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED BEFORE THE JUDGE HAVE TO BE DONE AND I NEED THE MONEY TO GET IT.
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
We are waiting to see him as you have said. Tell him to prepare the affidavits before he gets to court.
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR. BELLO AHMED



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
This is all wrong. I have to pay out money for justice to be done?
The scum-sucking bottom-feeders who cheated me won't get their just desserts unless I, THE VICTIM, stump up hard cash?
You ain't a human rights champion; you are just another gorram lawyer like the rest of your kind! I can do without you.
Malcolm Reynolds



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Ahmed,
I just told Maxwell Obiekwu to take a hike.
I do not want that little turd representing me. He had the gorram nerve to demand money for prosecution duties - he's a couple of dozen rounds short of a full clip if he thinks I'll accept that. This is not a private prosecution; these are criminals who broke the law and are being brought before the courts. This is People vs Adamu (or whoever), not Reynolds vs whoever.
I want him off the case, and I want the asshole disbarred (at least) for soliciting bribes. Just get those scumbags before the court!
I want justice, not just compensation!
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

I AM VERY PLEASED WITH YOUR EMAIL.
LOOK FOR LAWYER THAT WILL USE HIS MONEY TO GET THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FROM COURT OF THE LAND. I THANK YOU FOR OUR COMMUNICATION.
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU


[I don't think he's that pleased, to be honest... ]


Malcolm Reynolds

This is a criminal case, so why the hell would I have to pay for the documentation? Why the hell do I need a lawyer of my own when I'm not the accused?
You're no better than the ones who ripped me off. I'm going to tell the EFCC to stop using your services and to put you under investigation!
Malcolm Reynolds



Maxwell Obiekwu

ATTENTION: MACOLM REYNOLDS,
IF MY OPERATION IS WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAW, EVEN PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT STOP.
I KNOW WHAT THE LAW SAYS MY BROTHER AND EFCC WILL COMFIRM TO YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE I HAVE JAILED . I NEED MONEY TO GET THE DOCUMENTS TO DO YOUR JOB OR THEY WILL GAIN FREEDOM SAYING YOU ACCUSED THEM FALSELY.
IF YOU KNOW , THEY DO NOTHING TO YOU, THEN STOP ACCUSING THEM, BUT IF YOU KNOW THE DEFRAUDED YOU, THEM GET MONEY TO NAIL THEM TO THE BAR.
THANKS.
BARR. MAXWELL OBIEKWU


[Why is he calling me "my brother"? ]


Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Obiekwu,
You don't have to do anything for me. This is not a private prosecution, so you aren't needed at all.
If this is an official prosecution, then you are paid by the state, so you don't need my money.
Just shut the hell up and get off my case!
Malcolm Reynolds



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
Then get us a lawyer . all lawyers brought here by complainant were paid by them
EFCC PROHIBITS OFFICE
MR. BELLO AHMED



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Ahmed,
I cannot believe what you're saying - I have to pay for these criminals to receive a trial? What sort of bone-headed half-assed system is that?
If those crooks have been arrested, then it's up to the state to put them on trial. Justice is for all, not just for the well-off. When the hell did that change? When is the victim responsible for financing the legal process? I want gorram answers!
Malcolm Reynolds



Ahmed Bello (or Bello Ahmed)

Attn:Malcolm Reynolds,
This country is just developing nation, let me tell you that USA is one of the countries that asist us through their finance to tackle crimes in our country and some non govermental organisations through their donors made us to be fighting this crime so effectively.
Like we have told you, you cannot adjudicate on your onw and declare them guilt until the court of land has decided that they are guilt. They will face trial in the court and you need to make provison for your own lawyer as they have already taken their own lawyers already. What i am assuring is that they will not go free, they will surely be jailed because of the avialable evidence with us, but you need to get your own lawyer so that justice will be facilitated.
Once you have paid this lawyer, he will help us to bring justice upon these crminals. The government can only get a lawyer for a case that involves capital purnishment such as amrmed robery, murderer homocide E.TC.
So see what you can do to bring Maxwell or get us another lawyer to continue with this case.



Malcolm Reynolds

Mr Bello,
I'm sorry; this is still not making sense.
As I'm not the one on trial, why the hell do I need a lawyer present? And I've said it before, I'll say it again, the idea that justice is only for those who can pay for it is a gorram joke!
Do this; send me a scanned copy, with your signature, of the part of the legal code, or whatever document obtains in this case, which mandates that government prosecutors only handle major crimes.
Get it notarized in some way. Then I'll take you seriously.
Malcolm Reynolds


[But that challenge was beyond their meagre talents to fake... and so the saga ends. ]