INVESTIGATION: For a fee, a foreigner can get Nigerian certificate of origin without hassle (I) | TheCable Cc: dabiodunMFR, OGSG_Official
At Ifo LGA, the reporter paid N8,000 to get certificate of origin. Photo credit: James Ojo/TheCableA certificate of origin is an essential document in Nigeria. From job placements to admission into educational institutions and political appointments, the certificate, issued to only indigenes of a particular state, validates that one is indigenous to a community in the area. It is like a password to many opportunities in the country.
Yusuf is the liaison officer in charge of certificates of origin, birth certificates and other official documents at the office. The reporter had informed Yusuf that he was not from Ogun, but only needed the certificate to get a job, he did not bat an eyelid. Only one thing mattered – the N8,000.The document says the fictitious applicant “is an indigene of Ogun state from Ajuwon in Ifo LGA” and should be accorded the “necessary recognition and assistance”.
In spite of the initial impression that a thorough check would be carried out before issuing the certificate, the process turned out to be an easy ride after paying an extra N4,000 to Olaiya and N500 to another staff at the LGA.The reporter obtained an official certificate indicating that the non-existent Mary was a “native of Sagamu LGA”.
When the reporter inquired how he could get a certificate of origin to apply for a job, the plum, Abiodun’s name rang a bell to everyone around the NIS passport office. “This is the easiest method to get it. If you are to go through the normal process, it will take you a lot of time,” she said, trying to convince the reporter.After an intense plea from the reporter, she agreed to take N7,000 which will be sent to a designated account number. Sarah’s countenance was that of someone who just hit a jackpot. Beaming with a smile, she offered the reporter a seat and zoomed off with his details to process the certificate.
At Somolu LGA, the experience was not different – extortion and backdoor activities were prevalent with no proper background check of presented names. The two men who approached the reporter at the LGA asked him to pay N7,000 and provide two passports to get the certificate – with no mention of any official document.The reporter’s experience at Ikeja and Oshodi-Isolo LGAs was a sharp contrast to the other LGAs visited across Ogun and Lagos states.
The reporter, sensing the official was becoming more suspicious, asked if he could get the certificate without the listed documents while he feigned he needed it to complete an urgent job application.But Linus would not change his stance.
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