How Oyo West Officials Exploit Applicants Over Certificate of Origin

“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.” ― Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws

This revelation of the greed and level of corruption being perpetrated by some officials of the Oyo West Local, Ojongbodu, came into limelight and attracted my attention on the 1st of December, 2016. 

Its heartbreaking to note that while the act of extorting people has been on for a while but it seems everyone sees it as a usual business but in the real sense, its nothing but daylight robbery. 

My Case

With the release of selected applicants for the Federal Government's N-Power Scheme, there was a wild spread information around town that these set of candidates were to submit their credentials to their Local Government Areas as from December 1st, 2016. 

Despite warnings that the info might be a rumour as there was no announcement yet from N-Power, the candidates were eagerly visiting the LGs before the date to make enquiries concerning the documents to be submitted. 

According to my findings, the three LGs in Oyo town requested for different documents from them. While Oyo East Lg was only collecting the printouts of the applicants' data, Atiba collected only one of the printouts and Oyo West requested for Passport photographs, the 3 printouts and mandated the applicants to present their LG Certificate of Origin. 

Here is where I am having issues with the officials. 

One of my sources (names withheld), a non-indigene of Oyo town, who was posted to Oyo West Lg visited the secretariat on Thursday, December 1st, to submit her documents to the official. 

According to her, when she got there, her documents were rejected because she could not produce a Certificate of Origin that reflects Oyo West Local Government. Despite attempts to inform them that she was not from the Lg but was only posted to, the officers in charge insisted that she must produce a Certificate of Origin bearing Oyo West Local Government. 

Hmmm... 

The lady was directed to another department to obtain the certificate and she was shocked when they charged her a sum of One thousand and six hundred naira (N1,600). 

The confused applicant, apparently with nothing close to that amount on her, left the secretariat to borrow the amount demanded. She returned a little while after she raised this fee and paid to the department. 

When this got to my attention, not only was I heartbroken but the outrageous fee demanded infuriated me. 

A look at the receipts (she was issued two receipts) got me reeling in laughter. Kindly check the pictures; 

1. The first one bears One thousand Naira (N1,000) as payment for the identification fee. The receipt was issued under 'General receipt' and it doesn't bear the LG's name.

2. The second receipt was issued under 'Radio and Television Licence' (laughing) and it bears 'OYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT'. You  surely know what this means, Oyo Local Government ceased  to exist a long while ago. 

If I may ask, of what relevance is a 'Radio and Television Licence' to someone who applied for a Certificate of Origin?

Why is the first receipt not bearing the Lg name but 'General Receipt' instead?  Anyone could have issued that out. What is the guarantee that the fee goes into the Lg treasury? 

Where is the N500 balance? The applicant paid N1,600 and only 'receipts' of N1,100 were issued to her. Doesn't that tell us something? 

Why are the officials forcing non-indigents of the Lg to apply and pay for the 'Certificate of Origin' against their wishes? 

The last time I checked, issuance of this certificate is done when the applicant had proved beyond reasonable  doubts that he/she is from the Lg and even in some  LGs, you will have to produce a letter of attestation from the Councillor representing the ward the applicant is from. 

These were the queries I put to the Caretaker Chairman of Oy West Lg, Hon. Bisi Oladeji, during a  phone conversation. He denied knowing about the scheme and told me he was going to get back to me. After 24hours, I have not heard from the council boss. 

Hon. Bisi Oladeji, Oyo West Caretaker Chairman

My people, we can only get rid of the evils and injustices in our society if we speak out and fight against them only.The acts of extorting innocents citizens by some officials of the Oyo West Lg has been going on for a while and it has got to stop!

I implore all political office holders representing this constituency, vibrant social crusaders and others who will always stand against injustices to come around and demand for a full probe into the activities of these greedy and callous officials. 

I have spoken.

OmoIyaKunmi

08062350129