by Yas Niger
“No Nneka, you need to understand mine," Iquo returned. "Why can’t we have a registry where land is mapped by GPS and transfers are evidenced by a simple transfer contract the way we do with vehicles or shares? Why must the Governor himself sign?” Iquo asked again in an uncontrolled high pitch. “Please I need to speak to my lawyer," she concluded and stormed out, leaving Nneka and Mr Harry motionless and staring after her like bad children being punished for bad behaviour.
Three months went by quickly. Iquo was relentless in getting the government off her back. She got an injunction from the High court that ensured the status quo remained. The government didn't evict her and the bank didn't call in its loan....yet. She continued to harvest her fruits and process them into juice drinks but had to stop plans for the biomass plant while her case against the government was in court.
Tamuno, Iquo's young aggressive farm foreman, who led the local youth body, wanted her to let him take more militant action against the authorities. He had gone against her wish to assemble his "troops" and harrass the local councilor, who knew next to nothing about the whole issue. Iquo understood Tamuno's impatience, he was about to lose his job at the farm if she lost the farm to the government. Iquo however instructed Tamuno to desist.
Then the battle she had helplessly watched from the sidelines came to an unexpected end. She lost, but still won. The Governor's assurance to the multinational company planning to build the mall and hotel was talking too long to finalise, and they got quite impatient. They couldn't wait as long as it would take to get the a legal verdict. They were sceptical and they were impatient.
Iquo started to devise other plans to forge ahead because it appeared certain she would lose her farm for a pittance in compensation. She could get a new land for her farm, but she had no cash to buy the new land, transfer her assets, it was clear her bankers would not help out. When her lawyer called, she was going home, dejected with the disappointment of losing her farm, her fruit trees, her land, her biomass plant, her plans and all her big dreams. Iquo answered her cell phone and her heart sank to the depth of her guts when she heard her lawyer's voice at the other end. It had to be the verdict she thought. It was a verdict all right, but it was hers to make, it turned out.
Acting on the multinational firm instructions whose lawyers had opened negotiations with her lawyer, the multinationals had offered the pay her for her farm, her fruit trees, her land and her biomass plant in exchange for the full unencumbered title to the land . They would pay it full and multiple times over to reflect goodwill value. Iquo heard but didnt believe her lawyer, She asked for clarity. The lawyer repeated himself, slower this time. It dawned on Iquo that she could sell everything at her own price and come away with enough cash to relocate the entire farm and workers, without a bank loan. She would not be selling her dreams.
"It is a lie!" Iquo shouted into the phone in joyful disbelief, "lawyer, you are lying!!!!....."
"Na wetin madam?" Tamuno asked, standing next to her. He was already as excited as she was before he knew what she was so visibily happy about.
Iquo didn’t answer Tamuno and she ignored the phone as she grabbed Tamuno and danced along with him. Tamuno gladly obliged her and tried his luck further by lowering his touch below the respectable waist line level of her back. She wasn't too excited to forget she is a decent lady. She slapped away Tamuno's hand and eyed him menacingly.
"Sorry ma!" the shamed Tamuno pleaded.
Iquo was just too happy to be angry.
______________________________
The Taxi Driver
Pam adjusted his face cap lower and looked at his car parked behind two other cars. It was common occurence for people to block your car after you parked at the market but Pam never got used to it. It was annoying and time consuming, even more irritating was that all the guilty party would do when called out, was apologise after making you waste the whole day waiting for them. As he stood there pondering his next move, a young man waved at him from accross the street. Pam turned around just to check if there was someone behind him the young man was waving at, and he was quite suprised to find that there was no one.
Pam was used to feeling like he was watched by the Nameless Security Agency popularly called NSA but never before had the watchers made contact with him. Not for the first time since his ordeal started, his heartbeat accelerated and his palms instantly went wet with sweat. He tried very hard to concentrate on something else to control the sudden rapid beat of his heart. He had been reading different tips online on how to handle anxiety attacks but despite his best efforts, he had not quite mastered it. In a few seconds, his mouth was as dry, his hands shook, and he felt faint and disorientated. He needed to get a hold and activate his coping mechanisms immediately.
He took a deep breath and placed his hand over his diaphragm to feel the air go into his lungs. He started yoga breathing through his nose, inhaling and then slowly expelling it after five seconds. Allowing his field of vision broaden, Pam only started to calm down when he could see from the corners of his eyes.
These anxiety attacks had started after November 2014, after he was doxed.
Doxed, he thought. What a simple word for such a horrible event that had destroyed his life. He had never even heard of doxing until Adekunle had called asking him to get to safety immediately. Since that call, his life had never been the same. Adekunle was the catalyst. The beginning and main reason behind all his problems. The thought of him still brought mixed emotions bubbling to the surface of Pam's heart. He still wondered why anyone would put all his real personal information name, address, phone number, emails and passwords, bank accounts, his family members and his whole history since he was a kid just to call it being doxed. They had meticulously released everything about him into public space and deliberately made it look like there was more than friendship between Adekunle and himself.
He had met Adekunle Nwakpa at one of those NGO events. Now he could not even remember which one, NGO events had the tendency to blend into one long panel discussion with the same people talking about the same issues. At first he had not noticed the opinionated man with the thoughtful but radical ideas from across the room. But the more he spoke, the more sense he made, and the more people paid attention to him. Pam was no diferent, and like most of the room at that meeting, found himself agreeing with most of what the gentleman said.
It was not till three other panels later that they were officially introduced. Pam first paid a genuine compliment to Adekunle about his contribution before they went on to discuss other issues. Pam and Adekunle had exchanged email addresses and from then on, they had constantly kept in touch. At first their emails were work- related, articles and breaking news on topics they were both working on. Eventually they were trading music and links to funny cat gifs on the internet. As Pam had only returned to Nameless from obodo oyinbo, his circle of friends was very small. He was glad to meet someone intellectual and funny he could spend time with in social circles. At least every day Pam knew to expect music videos and movies from his new friend Adekunle and as they became friends rather than acquaintances, once a week they met up to roast bole in Adekunle's house. Adekunle's wife Kauna was a very warm woman with constant anecdotes, when she laughed it came from somewhere deep in her belly. Pam liked Adekunle, but he liked Adekunle's and his wife even more.
He deliberately cleared his mind of those old happy memories and straightened his shoulders, prepared to meet someone who he assumed was part of the NSA watching team.
He plastered a fake smile on his face, determined not to give his watchers the satisfaction of seeing his fear and walked onwards to meet his first tormentor.
"So you people are not just robots on the internet abi. I am glad to see that blood flows in your veins. I am Pam." he said as soon as he was close to the man. "but I assume you already knew this?"
The young man stared back at him with a blank smile on his face and took the proffered hand.
"Well really, I do no
t have to work with anyone to know who you are. You are one of the most popular men in Nameless. I am happy to finally meet you in the flesh too."
Pam took in the man's demeanor, the fraying tie and heavy bags his eyes carried suggested that this man was a harmless junior operative. One of those tech boys who spent all day staring at a computer screen and monitoring everything.
"To what do I owe this pleasure? Is it a slow week in the NSA office?" Pam asked him testily.
"No." the young man sighed. "Can I help with your bags? I can see your car is blocked, my taxi is right around the corner if you want to come with me."
Pam instinctively drew back, it suddenly seemed no coincidence that his car to be blocked from all sides. The thought that this was a kidnap attempt crossed his mind, but then Pam shook his head. If they had wanted to kidnap him, they would have done it a long time ago. He had on numerous occasions used the app Informacam on his android phone to see if there were other people in his compound with him and once, he had found other bluetooth and radio devices registered within the vicinity. Since they found ways of coming around him without his knowledge, he figured they could have taken him if they wanted to.
Picking up the bags stuffed with the variety of items he had purchased from the nearby market, Pam followed the man to the car. Together they loaded his purchases into a green and white painted taxi and he hopped into the front seat. From the outside, the taxi looked as ugly and battered as thousand others like it that rattled to and fro in Nameless. However the inside of the taxi was something else entirely, as it was little shy of luxurious. Pam realised the NSA was more sophisticated than he had given them credit for. The dents and scrapes that marred the taxi's green and white surface belied the front and rear camera inside it. There were numerous other gadgets Pam had no hope of identifying without the help of the internet.
He made a mental note to try and remember the specs of what he could see so that he could draw it for Riyana. Riyana was his lawyer who originally worked for the Online User Defenders. The OUF was a human rights organisation which had been specifically set up to protect the rights and privacy of persons on the internet. He had never even heard of them before his world turned upside down.
The agent pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards Pam's house.
"My name is Yaro by the way", he said as a form of formal introduction. "I am the new head of the anti-terrorism unit and I came to see you in person because I want to explain some issues to you. I want you to be fully aware and properly carried along even before we proceed." He said softly.
"Do you think you can at least listen to my proposal as I drive you to your house?" Pam knew he had no choice since he was already in the car with him but he swallowed the sarcastic retort that would have been his answer and nodded yes.
"Since your profile was intentionally made public by unknown persons, you have become a very important campaigner for internet safety and privacy but I am here today to tell you you have to stop." Yaro said as he stepped on the brake and the car swerved a little.
Yaro looked at Pam from the side of his eye to watch his reaction before continuing.
"From the communications, we are noticing that your publicity is exciting some friends of ours. According to the packet inspection and data we gathered this week, Goguwa is going to contact you sometime this week." Yaro said.
It had been a long time since Pam had been genuinely shocked, but at Yaro's words he literally felt his heart stop. Goguwa was the name of the leader of the biggest terrorist group in Nameless since the 1990s. The man had risen to global attention after he was revealed to be the mastermind behind a series of terrorist attacks against the UN building, mosques and churches, schools and market places and random public spaces. There was no logic or reason to his actions and he had quickly become the most wanted person in Nameless.
“Are you sure?" Pam's eyes widened. "But, why me. Why now?”
“Well you have been on TV, radio, facebook, twitter and newspapers teaching people how to avoid state surveillance." Yaro shrugged. "You really are making our job more challenging. We have noticed over half the people using the internet in Nameless are now using some sort of encrypted network. ToR browser and firefox with extensions seems to have overtaken internet explorer and other less safer browsing apps since you started your campaign" he replied calmly.
"I mean just the week you were on TV talking about Surespot, and most users stopped using Whatsapp and downoladed it. Even Chatsecure is getting more use than ever before. I went home the other day and my 17 year old nephew was teaching his friends how to download https everywhere and Ghostery on their Firefox browsers. I was mildly amused at first but now, I wish you had not started this campaign to tell citizens how we gather information on them.” There was a bit of steel in Yaro's voice this time when he spoke.
Pam could only listen to the man's words because he was unsure of what to say. Was he supposed to apoligise to the NSA for telling the truth about how they invaded everyone's privacy?
“Terrorists are closely observing your tactics Pam, and we need to stop this. We believe in privacy yes but we are doing this for purely security reasons, for securing the lives of the people in Nameless.”
Pam plucked a loose thread from the edge of his kaftan. “Why do you always hide behind terrorism when it comes to crossing the line and overriding citizen's privacy?" he said. "I know there are terrorists, but does that mean you should read everyone's emails, listen to everyone's phone calls and watch everyone's homes and offices?"
"Don't be naïve Pam! How else do you want us to keep the people of Nameless safe?" Yaro said as he made a turn to the left.
"How about monitoring only people who are suspects to a crime. Or even getting a warrant from a court before you can read, search and take over people's homes, computers and phones? I mean you can't put everyone under the microscope simply because you can. It is against the law of evidence and against the constitution." Pam said passionately as they drove past a building he recognised.
"Yes it is. But all that is ideal. In the real world we need to do what we must do to keep you safe." Yaro said with a smug smile. "And it is only the computer reads through all texts, emails and messaging apps not human beings."
Pam cleared his throat. "But you save a copy of all what we send over text and messaging apps and human beings have access to those right?"
"Yes," accepted Yaro grudgingly. "But our people at the NSA know not that it is not correc..."
"Yeah, yeah. That it is not correct but does anyone watch them to ensure that they don't? Can you guarantee us that jealous and creepy agents are not stalking their objects of affections?"
"No one can guarantee that Pam" Yaro replied
"Then I rest my case." Pam said sadly.
It took a short while for Pam to recognise the open rusted black gate to the right was his house. Yaro parked the taxi cab outside the gate.
"Do you want Goguwa to blow up another school or market?"
"Of course I don't," answered Pam, angrily. "I know government survallence is here to stay, i understand the argument about terror, but I want governement survalence regulated and debated. You guys can't keep playing god, deciding who to watch and who to pick up and torture. Go to cout, argue your case, get a warrant to seach and arrest suspects. Investigate crimes, not pick just up people that match your profiling and beat out a coerced confession out of them." Pam continued "What happens to the data you collect? Where will your keep it? and how are you sure it won't fall into other hands?" He wasn't expecting Yaro to answer so he just went on. "It is just like you almost destroyed my life. You have too much power to do that to other citizens of Nameless." Yaro didn't respond. "I will not stand by to let that happen," Pam flung in conclusion at Yaro, opened the door and started to get out of the car.
For the first time Yaro looked very sorry as he reached across the car to stop him.
"I am really sorry about what happened to you but I can assure you
that the doxing did not happen from the NSA office."
"Please do not add insult to injury." Pam said as he flung the open door away and stepped out. Yaro stayed in the car but turned off the engine. "I won't have you lie to my face," Pam continued. "You know your people went out to make it look like Adekunle and I were sleeping together. I could have been attacked and killed by any Nameless crowd!"
"I know." Yaro replied. "But I will tell you again that it was not from the NSA office. I do have some theories I can share with you on how it might have happened but you can not quote me on it. Deal?" Yaro whispered.
Pam thought for a few seconds as he stood by the door of the car before nodding okay.
"We have a feeling that Alhaji Azeez paid some of his croonies at a GSM network to give them all of Adekunle's records. When they could not find anything incriminating to make him less likely to be to be elected as the chairman of Nameless, they decided to use your information and release a few to make it look like two of you were sleeping together. It also did not help that you went on holiday together with him and there was a picture of you two hugging, which you both posted on Facebook." Yaro finished.
"I refused to believe you just said that! Can't two men just be friends without it being sexual?" Pam demanded.
"They can. And now both your names have been cleared by the public. I just want you to know it was not something my office did. We brought these foreign companies for security but we cannot know what these politicians do with it. Don't forget you are the ones voting them."
"See Yaro I am tired of hearing your excuses. I want to go to my house" Pam said as he started gathering his purchases from Yaro's cab.
"Does that mean you will not help us?" Yaro asked.
"I never said that. But I have one demand first," Pam replied knowing he finally had a bargaining chip.
“As someone who works in the NSA, what security measures do you take?” Pam asked.
Yaro looked at Pam thoughtfully for a second before answering
“You know it is not about the tools one uses because there is no absolute security on the internet right?”