Moyo Okediji, a well-known Art History Professor, has shared his experience with his mechanic, whom he claims exploited him.
Okediji revealed this in a long post on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
He said, “Mechanics in Nigeria have made a fool out of me. I bought a Mercedes van in 2019 when I visited for the summer. It was nothing special.
“I just needed something to get around in while visiting Nigeria. I drove it around for about 30 minutes and discovered an issue with the AC, so I was advised to send it to Lagos for repairs.
“They told me there were no good Mercedes mechanics in Ile Ife.
Because I was about to return to my village in the US, I had no problem sending the truck to Lagos for repairs before my flight back.
“The mechanic told me it would cost about 100k to fix the AC problem.
I transferred the money to the mechanic. Then he found a couple of other problems with the vehicle and asked me to send an additional 250k so the vehicle would be in perfect condition waiting for me in Nigeria. I sent the money.
“Then COVID hit. I couldn’t return the following summer as planned.
I called the mechanic. 'Sir, there are more complications,' he told me. 'The engine is diesel. Diesel engines don’t like to sit around without being used. Would you just sell me the vehicle?'
I refused. I wanted it fixed. ‘To change the engine from diesel, we will need 650k,' he said.
“God!” I shouted. “Where am I going to get that amount of money? 'It’s best to sell the vehicle,' he insisted. 'Or give it to me to run a taxi and I will send you whatever I make.' “No,” I was firm. “I want my van repaired and returned to Ife.
It had become a matter of pride to me. I sent him the money he asked for.
A week or more later, I received a call. 'Sir,' he said, 'The car's gear is not good. It's better for us to change the gear box so it doesn't cause you trouble.'
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “Another issue with the gearbox?”
“Yes, sir,” he said. “The gear problem is not good. He gave me a ridiculously high amount to fix it.
I paid. Then he later informed me that the chassis would need to be changed. 'What's wrong with the chassis?' I asked him.
'Sir, I can't describe it to you,' he said, 'unless you drive it to see for yourself. The chassis makes a strange noise.'
“We changed the chassis. Later, it was the “shock.” “Shock?” I asked. “What is that?” “It's called a shock, sir,” he said. “Take a picture of it and send it to me,” I requested.
Later, he sent me some pictures. “Oh!” I exclaimed. “What happened to the vehicle? It doesn’t look like my vehicle anymore!” “Sir, it's your vehicle,” he said. “The problem is that the government is pressuring mechanics in our area. One day, they came and towed all the vehicles from our shop. It cost me a lot to get your Mercedes back. Before they returned it, many parts had been stolen.” “Return my vehicle to Ife immediately,” I said angrily. “How are we going to do that?” he asked. “The tires are not in good condition. We need to buy four new tires.” “Why?” I asked.
“As it sat in one spot for many months,” he explained, “the tires got damaged.
“You need to properly fix the car before he comes back to Ife o.”
“Did you repair the AC?” I inquired.
“Yes, of course,” he replied. “But the AC engine was stolen when they towed it from my shop to the government office. Those people are thieves. They also took the sound system….”
“I have spent millions of naira on the vehicle, and I haven’t even driven it for more than 30 minutes, ever!
“I am a fool,” I informed my mechanic.
“No sir, Oga,” he contested. “You are not a fool, sir. It's the situation. If only we could change the….” I ended the call.
“My mechanic has turned me into Yaya Mumuni. Please beg him for me, please!”
Okediji had three months ago narrated the harrowing experience he faced during his journey to Nigeria, detailing instances of alleged theft and maltreatment by immigration and police officers.
