The editor: My attention has been drawn to the write-up as captioned above written by one Jerry Chike Obinabo which featured in the Sahara reporters website on Saturday, 19th September 2009. My initial reaction to the write-up was to dismiss it as the ranting of an unscrupulous person who felt threatened in his extortionist undertakings against his compatriots.
However, on second thought, I decided to write this rejoinder if only to correct the erroneous impression that might have been created in the minds of readers by the baseless, unfounded and malicious comments in the write-up. This is with a view to stating the facts as it were because facts are sacred. Let me first of all take on the issue he raised concerning consular fees: The fees charged for various consular services rendered by the Embassy for both Nigerians and foreigners alike were approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The table of fees is conspicuously displayed at the consular section of the Embassy for all to see. For the avoidance of doubt, the table of fees in the local Thai Baht currency is listed below for ease of reference:
CONSULAR CURRENCY FEE (BHT)
LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 300.00
OATH FEES 300.00
MARRIAGE AFFIRMATION 1,500.00
LEGALIZATION/CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS 2,500.00
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
RE-ISSUE OF PASSPORT 2,730.00
EXTENSION/RENEWAL OF PASSPORT 1,500.00
ENDORSEMENT ON PASSPORT 1,500.00
EMERGENCY TRAVEL CERTIFICATE (ETC) 900.00
EMERGENCY TRAVEL CERTIFICATE FOR EX-PRISONERS
AWAITING DEPORTATION GRATIS
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR REPLACEMENT OF
PASSPORT 11, 250.00
NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR ISSUANCE OF ETC IN
LIEU OF LOST PASSPORT 4,500.00
TRANSIT PASSENGERS AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WITHOUT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS MUST PAY FOR 5,400.00
The Embassy has neither carried out a review nor an upward adjustment of fees since the year 2000, except perhaps the introduction of service charge of five
hundred baht (500.00 Baht) across the board approved by the Ambassador in 2005. The exchange rate since 2009 has been fluctuating between 33.50 to 34 baht to 1 USD. By virtue of my rank and position as Minister and Head of the Consular section, I have nothing to do with either the collection or keeping custody of consular fees. The collection and custody of consular fees is the responsibilities of the Consular Secretary and the Financial Attachee respectively. In this connection, the mischievous comment that my predecessor rendered consular services to Nigerians free of charge is not only false but a discredit to his person because the money so collected accrues as revenue to the government. Therefore, he cannot on his own deny the government of approved and collectable revenue.
On the issue of processing ‘Affirmation of Marriage’ for Nigerians who wish to marry Thai citizens, the prescribed consular fees as stated above still subsists. One of the major requirements for the processing of Affirmation of Marriage is an ‘Affidavit of Bachelorhood’. When it became apparent that some unscrupulous Nigerians were faking Affidavits and Court receipts purportedly issued in Nigeria, the Embassy introduced an additional requirement of producing a sworn ‘Affidavit of Bachelorhood’ deposed before a Notary Public, Court or any Law office in Thailand. This measure was taken to stem the use of fake Affidavits and to lend some credence to the whole process. The emphasis here is that there is no restriction on any Nigerian in the choice of which law office, Notary Public or Court to patronize.
On the issue of translation of documents, let me state here that since its inception, the Embassy never had and presently do not have a TRANSLATOR.. Translation Centres abound in Bangkok where Nigerians seeking such service are at liberty to patronize and pay for service rendered. Perhaps Jerry has chosen to forget that I issued and signed his ‘Affirmation of Marriage’ form on 18th May, 2005 for his marriage to a Thai lady whom I was later made to understand he coveted from a fellow Nigerian whom he Jerry masterminded his blacklisting and eventual deportation. The consular record shows that Jerry paid the sum of 1,500.00 baht (local currency), one of the prescribed fees for ‘Affirmation of Marriage’ which was duly receipted vide Treasury receipt No. Z002529569 dated 18th May, 2005.
From the records, Jerry still has an outstanding balance of 300.00 bht to pay to the Embassy as Oath fees. The sum of 1,500.00 baht at the exchange rate of 42 baht to 1 USD in 2005, translates to USD35.71. Given his comment that Nigerians pay up to 200.00 USD to obtain ‘Affirmation of Marriage’ form, Jerry should be truthful and man enough to tell readers who he paid the extra money to and how much he paid the person. Let me add here that prior to his visit to the Embassy, Jerry perhaps due to his notorious antecedents, solicited the assistance of his
relation in the Embassy of Nigeria in Vienna to talk to me to approve his application for ‘Affirmation of Marriage’. My response to my colleague was that I don’t prejudge people based on hearsay or rumour. Jerry will attest to the fact that his application was duly processed and approved just like the Embassy would do to any other Nigerian that presents all the required documents.
Jerry, may have also chosen to forget that I re-issued passport No. A505810 to him, on 6th July, 2005 as a replacement for his mutilated passport No. A2739665. For this transaction, Jerry paid the sum of 300.00 baht as Oath fees and 2730.00 baht for the passport and for which official treasury receipt Nos. Z005129017 and Z004095278 were issued respectively. Since he alleged that Nigerians pay extra fees for consular services, it goes without saying that having benefited from Consular services twice, he was also a victim of the extra charge. Therefore, Jerry should be bold enough to tell readers who he paid the extra money for his passport and how much he paid to the person. Jerry should equally tell readers why he is now complaining four (4) years after his two transactions at the Embassy. Jerry once said that he had no problems with the Embassy because he usually got whatever he requested or applied for.
On the issue of Nigerian deportees languishing in detention center due to none issuance of Travel Certificates, let me state here categorically that the Emergency Travel Certificate is issued to Nigerian ex-convicts going on deportation, FREE OF CHARGE. Without sounding immodest, let me state here that as at 23rd September, 2009 there are only six (6) Nigerians awaiting deportation, not because of non issuance of Travel Certificate but because they are still sourcing for funds to procure their one-way air-ticket back home. That I respond promptly to the needs of Nigerian prisoners and deportee alike is not to attract praise or commendation. I respond because it is my responsibility even though Jerry is one way or the other involved in the predicaments of most Nigerian deportees or prisoners serving various jail sentences through his nefarious activities in connivance with those he works for.
On the issue of my participation in the on-line colony investment pyramid scheme, let me state here without sounding apologetic that the way I spend my salary is nobody’s business. Investing a paltry sum of money in an on-line scheme I considered genuine from the way it was presented, which later turned out to be another dimension of 419 is nothing to write home about. Thousands of Thai citizens including many Nigerians were victims of the colony invest scam. Police investigations into the scam revealed the involvement of some Nigerians and their Thai wives as collaborators in the scam and of a wider network of scammers. I will not be surprised if Jerry is linked to this group of scammers because one of his associates was apprehended with his wife in connection with the scam.
On the issue of Mr. Sunny Okorie, let me state here without mincing words that I do not discriminate among members of the Nigerian Community in Thailand. My job as Consul abhors discriminatory tendencies in relation with Nigerians in Thailand. But to put the issue in its true perspective, let me state here to the best of my knowledge that Mr. Sunny Okorie is a respectable Nigerian and operates a genuine Shoes/Sandals business in Thailand. He was one of the few Nigerians introduced to me by my colleagues in the Embassy upon my assumption of duty. Let me also add that I have no reason to regret my friendship with him. Having stated the above let me now address the crux of the issues that informed Jerry’s write-up.
In 2005, the Embassy was inundated with persistent complaints about intimidation, harassment, threat to life and extortion of money leveled against one Mr. Jerome Chike Obinabo a.k.a Jerry from a cross section of Nigerians in Thailand. Part of the complaints alleged that Jerry works for Thailand’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau as an informant on the activities of Nigerians in Bangkok. He was also accused of using his ignoble status to frame, intimidate and implicate his fellow compatriots, particularly those who refused to be intimidated, harassed, framed or fall victim of his extortionist tendencies. He was also alleged to have used his position to report on Nigerians who are suspected of involvement in illicit drug trafficking. Furthermore, most Nigerian prison inmates traced their predicaments and eventual incarceration in prison to the network and nefarious activities of Jerry.
Consequently, Jerry was invited to the Embassy on various occasions in connection with the allegations. During one of my encounters with him in 2005, Jerry admitted to me with pride that he once peddled in illicit drug before deciding to work as informant for host country’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Jerry equally admitted before me that he was responsible for the incarceration of some Nigerians in prison, an action he explained was taken as a retaliatory measure because the affected Nigerians tried to out do him in the illicit drug business. He was advised to desist from criminalizing his fellow compatriots and to also desist from acts bordering on intimidation, harassment, threat to life and extortion of money against fellow Nigerians. The Embassy equally conveyed displeasure about his ignoble role of police informant against his fellow citizens.
The Embassy pointed out the implications of his actions on the image of Nigeria and Nigerians in Thailand, particularly those who are genuinely contributing to the growth of the economy of Thailand through their involvement in genuine business. Jerry responded with pride that he could not afford to relinquish his job as an informant because he has no alternative job. The role of informant, albeit erroneously, confers on him a larger than life image of himself.
Jerry was again invited together with his accuser to the Embassy to answer an allegation of pointing a gun at his fellow Nigerian. His accuser was so frightened to state the facts of the case in Jerry’s presence apparently due to perceived unpleasant consequences he might face once he left the Embassy.
On another occasion, Jerry was invited to the Embassy for a meeting with the Charge d’ Affaires ai, with the President of the Nigerian Community Association and some notable Nigerians in attendance. The discussions at the meeting centered on the vexed issue of working as informant for the Police, intimidation, harassment and extortion of money from Nigerians. Jerry was also invited at various times for one-on-one discussions with the Charge d’Affaires ai in an effort to persuade him to work in the interest of Nigerians and to change his highly deplorable and reprehensible conduct towards his fellow Nigerians. True to type, Jerry has shown no indication yet of a let-up. It is on record that Jerry has brazenly constituted himself into a terror, dreaded by his fellow citizens who appear helpless in the face of his antics of intimidation, harassment and extortion of money.
The mere mention of Jerry’s name conjures up fear, apprehension and distress among his fellow Nigerians who avoid him like a plague. In my capacity as Consul, I do not have any personal vendetta or axe to grind with Jerry. I have interacted with Jerry in a most civilized manner. Even in the face of the allegations against him I never prejudged him. Jerry is neither my mate nor equal to me in any aspect of legitimate human endeavour and this he knows. I belong to a much higher class and occupy a position of authority derived from the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Having said this however, I cannot fold my arms and watch him destroy his fellow Nigerians in Thailand. My position as Consul confers on me the authority to act to safeguard the interests of Nigerians in Thailand against any encroachment by satanic minded ingrates like Jerry.
Thailand is big enough for all Nigerians to live in peace and harmony as a community. Infact, Live and let Live should be the slogan and rallying cry of all Nigerians in Thailand at all times. While I have treated Jerry with fairness as he can testify, he has chosen to reciprocate my fairness in a most dastardly and vicious manner to the extent of trying to get some Nigerians to frame me as their drug mastermind due to his belief that he has been blacklisted by the Embassy. Considering the seriousness of the matter, nobody will expect me to fold my arms and watch Jerry the devil reincarnate destroy me. Consequently, I took the initial step of complaining to the highest security authority in the land with documented evidence of Jerry’s evil machinations.
Furthermore, as a follow-up, I equally took the matter before his employers, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) on 15th September, 2009. I am therefore not surprised at Jerry’s stratagem of posting an unconscionable, ill-timed and malicious write-up to white wash himself. This stratagem of write-up can only be likened to a drowning man that clutches even at every available reed in the river in the belief that the reed will save him from drowning. I will advise Jerry and his likes to remember that if you escape the judgment of MAN you will definitely not escape the judgment of the ALMIGHTY AND OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT AND OMNIPRESENT GOD. Surely, sooner than later, Jerry will account for his negative actions against innocent fellow Nigerians.
I hope this rejoinder will be given the prominence given to Jerry’s write-up.
Thank you.
Henry O. Offor
Minister/Consul
Embassy of Nigeria
Bangkok, Thailand.
24th September, 2009
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