On Valentine's day, which was last week, Nigerian yech Twitter was (sort of) thrown into a frenzy when Marek Zmyslowski, former CEO of Jovago (now Jumia Travels) published a Medium post revealing how his name appeared on Interpol's Red Notice, no thanks to his former Nigerian investors, one of who he nicknamed the "godfather".
Time to break the silence. How Building the Amazon of Africa put me on Interpol Most Wanted list https://t.co/24Ew9r2ptA
— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) February 14, 2019
If you've been seeing the word "godfather" a lot this week, it's because of Marek's Medium post titled How Building the Amazon of Africa put me on Interpol Most Wanted list.
Now, if you didn't know, Marek is Polish and somewhat notorious in the Nigerian tech community, and his Medium post didn't help his already controversial reputation, especially because the premise of the story painted the Nigerian tech "ecosystem" in a bad light.
Here are a few intial reactions
https://twitter.com/iaboyeji/status/1096389149249150976
We don’t need to do fancy medium posts to reveal the truth. Email threads don’t lie.... If you steal investors money and you run away as a foreigner, Interpol restricted movement is literally the only way you can be coerced to coming to the table to refund stolen funds pic.twitter.com/HgEXfvm78X
— Edmund Olotu of the small Bag (@pyjama_ceo) February 16, 2019
A lot of grey areas in Marek’s story, people with access to what truly happened should come out with their own facts (especially the lawyers and the godfather). We have a nascent tech ecosystem’s credibility on the line.
— Oluyomi Ojo (@OluyomiOjo) February 15, 2019
Nigeria’s tech ecosystem was perhaps the only or strongest frontier reshaping the image of Nigeria. They were the new brand & reputation managers.
With this, you’d understand why what Marek tried to do was very touchy to a lot of people and portends danger to the industry.— Perez Tigidam (@PerezTigidam) February 18, 2019
And a few more
https://twitter.com/OlumideSamuel_/status/1096831508990623745
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https://twitter.com/McBenads/status/1096867392888672256
Meanwhile the plot thickens, here are few stories that were published afterwards;
It's a shame it has come to this but we cannot allow anyone slander our techosystem and that includes our former friend - @marekchinedu
I just published: A quick update since @marekchinedu's post on his Nigeria experience has gone ‘viral’. https://t.co/KVInhIowpU
— Oo Nwoye (@OoTheNigerian) February 16, 2019
New evidence suggests Nigerian investors may have no strong legal case against @marekchinedu https://t.co/SgNTRZsN5K
— Techpoint Africa (@TechpointAfrica) February 20, 2019
Marek Zmyslowski never founded or worked with HotelOnline, says founders https://t.co/BKI0vTkQM3 pic.twitter.com/dxwYZha2VP
— TechMoran.com (@TechMoran) February 17, 2019
New post: Full Story of How Marek Zymslowski Allegedly Defrauded His Nigerian Investors and Fled to Poland https://t.co/2Zj3rlwXv5
— Technext (@technextdotng) February 19, 2019
Whew. Receipts on receipts - How Marek Zymslowski lied about building the Amazon of Africa https://t.co/5GtjvLIILt
— Timi Ajiboye (@timigod) February 21, 2019
Other reactions
On behalf of the Igbo's in Technology I hereby remove, renounce and reject the 'Chinedu' in this mans name. Who gave him self? 🤔🤔 I don't believe the elders were consulted. He is disparaging us hard working Igbos in the ecosystem. Igbo Kwenu. #1ecosystem
— JasonNjoku (@JasonNjoku) February 21, 2019
Years ago, someone asked what I thought of @JasonNjoku and Marek's rivalry. I laughed, a lot, and said "what rivalry? Marek isn't in Jason's league"
He said I was "an extremely aggressive supporter of Jason."
I responded, I was "an extremely aggressive supporter of the truth" pic.twitter.com/XmN1PEYA3A— Jessica Hope (@WimbartHope) February 22, 2019
Can't wait to see where this Marek saga ends.
— Peter Pan (@Woulk3r) February 21, 2019
Marek Chinedu has been buried. Don't shit on Nigerians. And if you must, you've got to have the real receipt not fake ones.
— West 79 INC. Alhaji Yusuf (@McShaffy) February 21, 2019
There's so much drama waiting to be unravelled. Meanwhile read other reactions here.
Deji Adeyanju granted bail
On Monday, we got news that the Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju was granted bail by the Kano state Magistrate Court after over 60 days in police custody.
BREAKING: Kano Court Grants Deji Adeyanju Bail | Sahara Reporters @adeyanjudeji was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties.
READ MORE: https://t.co/gqDVBPBYbd pic.twitter.com/oOJGP2OOlX— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 18, 2019
Deji, alongside two others were arrested in November last year during a protest in Abuja against the interference of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in politics.
The police accused him and his comrades of criminal conspiracy, public disturbance and a bunch of other offences.
Reactions
UPDATE: Prince Deji Adeyanju granted bail. Praise God!
As usual, the plan was to release him after the election but God pass them as the election was postponed. Deji is back and would hit the hell outta you guys! pic.twitter.com/QkzdjVjJ2h
— Naomi Brave 🇳🇬🇲🇾 (@Nallybaby_) February 18, 2019
Wow Deji Adeyanju has been granted bail.
That's good news and I know he won't stop speaking the truth as always #DejiAdeyanjuisfree#NigeriaDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/E4xC7Wnoh8— KING BONA (@RealKingBona) February 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/adeola1232/status/1097442843755450369?s=21
They wanted to keep @adeyanjudeji till after election, unfortunately the election was postponed, today Deji has been granted bail. He will not only vote, he will also witness the downfall of Pharaoh on Saturday.
— Seleman (@Eromosele6) February 18, 2019
Well, sort of
https://twitter.com/the_anagkazo/status/1098484452701941762?s=21
so Deji @adeyanjudeji has not been released yet?? i thought he has been granted bail?? why are they still keeping him in prison????
— chuzaa😜😊 (@ijychin) February 21, 2019
@YemieFASH how comes Deji has not been released, what's the hitch? Bail conditions not met or the police refuse to adhere to court order?
— Okanu mee na Abatete (@charlspectacula) February 21, 2019
@YemieFASH how comes Deji has not been released, what's the hitch? Bail conditions not met or the police refuse to adhere to court order?
— Okanu mee na Abatete (@charlspectacula) February 21, 2019
Read more reactions here.
NNPC could be up for sale
That's if Atiku Abubakar -- the People's Democratic Party's presidential candidate for tomorrow's general election -- wins.
TRENDING
I will sell NNPC to Nigerians, not to my friends — Atiku Abubakar“They keep saying ‘Atiku wants to sell NNPC to himself and his friends. That is a lie!”https://t.co/U85zhWEjy3 pic.twitter.com/ltLuIRdKyz
— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) February 22, 2019
Apparently, there has been gist about how Atiku plans to sell NNPC to his "friends". However, the presidential candidate recently cleared the air, saying he'll sell the corporation to Nigerians and not to his "friends" as rumored.
Here are a few reactions
If Atiku wins, he's going to sell NNPC, allow d Naira to float, privatize Universities, health care, etc. Buhari will be in Daura watching!
— Shaali (@Shaali30991420) February 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/oladayo01/status/1098931893976920064
The NNPC Hegemoth is the biggest contributor to massive corruption in Nigeria...it's as simple as that!
— Elombah News (@elombah) February 22, 2019
When MTN and then Econet came.
Can you remember 50naira per minute ?
15naira per SMS ?
And how they swore Per second billing wasnt possible ?
With the Sale of NNPC imagine what will happen
— Osi (@Osi_Suave) February 21, 2019
Other reactions
https://twitter.com/akaebube/status/1098857609694724096
NNPC workers!
Learn from Nitel, NEPA, ALSCON, DSC and all the companies Atiku sold.
Go and mobilize massively for Buhari.VOTE BUHARI and not people that will SELL NNPC #FeBuhari23 #NextLevel
— CBN Gov Akinsola Akin🇳🇬 (@cbngov_akin1) February 22, 2019
Atiku is never a sincere man that can be entrusted with the highest office in Nigeria. Here this:
Atiku sold a national asset worth $3.5B for $130M. He kept the difference.
He plans to do same to NNPC.
Dear Nigerians Dont vote Atiku. He is a scam!#DontVote@atiku pic.twitter.com/JXEHp9jhqJ
— adeniyi (@adeniyi4765) February 22, 2019
People actually believe NNPC will be privatized? Like the Act will be amended and other limiting issues resolved, for that purpose? I'll love to see Atiku try.
Election is sweet sha, promises everywhere. pic.twitter.com/o6N9ZsRJSN
— Papa Burrito (@bule_jr) February 22, 2019
Read more here.
