Mary Daniel, the physically challenged woman, who suddenly became social media sensation after her story was sold to members of the public as a single mother and orphan, who needed help urgently, had her cup full last week when the lid was blown off fake story, after raking in N25 million. Whether Daniel has case to answer or not will depend on how the Lagos State Government handles her case, reports Festus Akanbi
The drama concerning a now popular Lagos amputee, Mary Daniel, found to have connived with a syndicate to hoodwink Nigerians, especially Lagos residents and government for financial assistance, took a twist last week as lawyers picked holes in the handling of the case by the Lagos State Government.
Some observers of the drama expressed disappointment that Daniel’s case was being handled with kid gloves. They warned that unless she is used as a deterrent, many fraudulent people will be encouraged to engage in such undesirable conduct, where Nigerians’ culture of kindness and generosity would be abused.
The 27-year-old Daniel, whose story has attracted widespread attention, particularly on social media, attracted overwhelming sympathy as Nigerians jostled to assist the physically challenged but hardworking Daniel, said to be hawking bottled water in Oshodi area of Lagos.
Her media handlers sold the picture of an orphan and single mother who lost both parents in an accident said to have claimed one of her legs. Within a short period of time, about N25 million was raised on her behalf and that was where her story began to fall like a pack of cards.
She was found to be an object of a syndicate who invited her from Kogi to Lagos. Trouble however started when Daniel became an object of blackmail by some individuals who were said to have weaved the evil plot. Last Thursday, the Lagos State Government, which had earlier raised the alarm over the fraudulent activity, appeared lenient in its decision as it handed over the amputee sachet water hawker to leaders of Igala Community in Lagos State.
Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Civic Engagement, said that the state government would continue to protect all residents in the state, especially the vulnerable.
Adebowale said the state government took the step to shield Daniel from possible fraudsters who might target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians.
He said that Daniel was handed over to a committee comprising the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
She said that other committee members at the handing over was Mr. Sanni Ejima, Leader of Igala Community in Lagos; Divisional Police Officer, Alausa and representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Adebowale explained that the police were involved to demonstrate that the state had taken proper care of Daniel, while in its custody, and to ensure her safety thereafter.
She said that the committee was to oversee Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds were judiciously utilised to improve her standard of living and that of her baby.
According to her, the ultimate desire of the state government is to ensure that Daniel becomes a civically responsible citizen in the state.
Adebowale said “she (Daniel) now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby and have a new lease of life.’’
No clean of bill for Daniel
In their reactions, some legal experts told THISDAY that technically, Daniel cannot be tried for any fraudulent act since the donations she got were voluntary. An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr. David Udofia said her case did not fall under the famous section 419 of the criminal code of Nigeria.
Another lawyer, who prefers to not to be named said there was no law in Lagos State or in the Criminal Code Act to secure conviction against the amputee.
He said, “I have not seen any section of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011 or the Criminal Code Act to secure conviction against the amputee. Not Ss 314-315 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, or Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act which deals with obtaining goods by false pretences.”
Tweaking a Pathetic Story
In his contribution, a social media commentator, Mr. John Jibogu said Daniel’s handlers should be blamed for blowing her case beyond reasonable proportions. He said, “Those behind her that influenced her to tweak her story to make it more sympathetic are the guilty ones. Doesn’t she deserve help yes? She does. The poor lady knows her story, she told her story to someone who decided to tweak her story to look more attractive. I believe someone decided to take advantage of her.
“People should let her live her life. As to her supposed father where was he all these years? Now the daughter has found fame he wants to come and eat where he has not sown. The Lagos State Government should ensure the raised money is paid into a trust fund set up for her and be paid out monthly, full access should not be granted.”
Becoming social media sensation
Before the bubble burst, things were fast falling into place for Mary Daniel and her life was showing significant transformation. Few weeks ago, the single mum, marked her 27th birthday with fanfare.
Acknowledging her new social status, she was quoted in one of the interviews she granted on her birthday: “I feel happy today. I didn’t celebrate my birthday last year. I am grateful to God for what He has done in my life. I never thought I would mark my birthday in a big way like this.”
She added, “People who know me before now have been calling me and making kind remarks about me. They said I have changed for good and they can hardly recognise me again.”
She expressed her plan to establish a supermarket with donations she received from within and outside Nigeria.
Her cooked story
In her well-orchestrated story in the media, she had narrated how she went through difficult times after losing her parents and her right leg to an accident in December 2006 while they were travelling to their hometown in Ayingba, Kogi State from Katsina State for Yuletide.
According to her claims, she dropped out at Junior Secondary School 3 after she took to the streets in Onitsha, Anambra State, selling sachet water to cater to herself and her aged grandmother.
She said she was impregnated in 2018 by her fiancé who she said denied responsibility for the pregnancy, forcing her to relocate to Delta State out of shame.
She said she relocated to Lagos in March, hawking bottled water in chaotic traffic and passing the night on the balcony of a building on Suwebatu Street, Oshodi.
The report generated overwhelming emotions as people sought help for the orphan while praising her rare grit.
For fear that she might fall prey to fraudsters due to huge donations pouring into her bank account, the Lagos State Government took over her welfare and put her in protective custody pending the conclusion of plans to settle her.
“I want to set up a supermarket where I will be selling cartons of noodles, bottled water, drinks, food stuffs and other items,” Daniel, who marked her birthday at a lounge in Ikeja, said.
Remarkably, Daniel is also an employer of labour in waiting, with two persons to work with her at the supermarket.
She said, “I plan to employ two of my cousins. One is based in Awka (Anambra) while the other is based in Asaba (Delta). They will relocate to Lagos and join me in running the supermarket. As soon as I get my own apartment, I will bring my daughter to Lagos. I hope my story will inspire people in my condition to always try to struggle to earn a living.”
Unfortunately, the story took a disappointing twist during the week when it dawned on the Lagos State Governor, who had offered a helping hand like other well-meaning Nigerians that Mary was an object of a well-orchestrated fraudulent plot to swindle her potential helpers.
Analysts said Nigerians were watching the way the Lagos State Government would resolve this drama and that whatever decisions arrived at would either encourage or discourage people from playing on others’ intelligence.
