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Chapter 35

Unedited

"Hello Mrs Badmus"

Davina's voice resounded in her ears and Mrs Badmus almost lost balance that very moment. "Mom who is she? She looks kind of familiar" "Well I am"

"Nobody"

"No. Now I remember, the club Goriola patronises, I think I recognise that face but the question is, how in the world did she know my name?" "You're Eniola Badmus, our second daughter, I'm sure she must have googled it."

"You seem to know the right words to say"

"Eniola, I thought you said you were late"

"Yes I was" she replied staring at her mother and Davina. "I want to talk to her too" "You're not talking to anyone" "Why do you say so? I have every right to talk to her"

"Okay.... Why is the atmosphere suddenly tense?"

"Eniola, you'll be late"

Eniola laughed nervously, "Not when it seems like your chasing me away" "Weren't you the one talking about being late?"Mrs Badmus asked and Eniola rolled her eyes, " Off I go, I forgot my handbag " she rushed back picking up the black bag from the couch.

"My car keys?" She asked herself looking into it. "Its here. Good bye Dad, goodbye Mom, wish me luck in this case"

"I don't always wish good luck on court cases in case you're jailing the wrong person"

"Dad." Eniola pouted, "Mom, wish me luck" "Good luck" Mrs Badmus answered then she zoomed off.

"What are you doing here?" Mrs Badmus asked and Madam Davina walked in. "Who asked you to come in?"

"I let myself in since you were being rude" she answered and Mrs Badmus scoffed, "Honey, do you see what's going on?"

"Good morning Sir" Madam Davina greeted and Mr Badmus nodded in response, "Good morning Davina, how has the years being treating you?"

"Honey! You shouldn't be asking her that!"

"We shouldn't be rude to our visitor"

"What visitor? She's not supposed to even come close to us, I must fire the security for letting you in"

"Will you calm down! I'm hear to have a civil discussion with you, you can stop being savage" "Sa..... Daddy Goriola, did she just say Savage? She called me Savage!"

Madam Davina shut her eyes, "See, I haven't come for quarrels, I have come to make peace with myself that's why I'm here today so I can talk to you and also Uwa"

"Don't call her that!" Mrs Badmus snapped, "I have every right to talk to her" "You lost every damn right the moment you signed that document that day! Eniola Is my daughter!"

"And I'm her aunt"

"We had an agreement"

Madan Davina brought out a document from her bag, "This agreement right?" She asked, "I want it terminated, I'm willing to pay every last kobo you paid for her with interest. I don't want it again"

"Why?" Mr Badmus asasked rising up and Madam Davina sniffled, "I risked a lot giving my nieces out, I didn't think of the consequences, I only thought of the good future they'll have"

"So now you want her back?"

"No! I want her to know the truth"

"What stupid truth?"

"That's she's going against her own blood in court!" She yelled and Mr Badmus moved closer to her, "I don't understand"

"Osas Ovbiokpomwan is her eldest sister, the one she's been threatening to take down"

"What?" Mrs Badmus holding on to her husband's hands, her legs were weakened by the revelation.

Justice Memud Lateefat, threw a pill into her mouth and her junior sister,Ganiya  handed her a cup of water and she drank it. "You're not feeling too well, are you sure you can perform?" "Malaria won't break me down, don't worry! If there's anything that'll break me down, it's this case"

"How come?"

"Mother and son at loggerheads, fighting on opposite sides, I've seen cases like this and I hate being dragged in the middle of that crossfire, the thought of going for that hearing is scary and sickening for me. I know Morenike Briggs, she's a very good attorney, so also her son, I've seem him in action and I know its going to be a tough case. If only I can shirk this responsibility, just this once pere! (Alone)"

"Mo ni gbagbo pe Ọlọrun yoo fun ọ ni ọgbọn ati oye lati ba ọrọ naa mu ( I have that faith that God will give you the wisdom to deal with it just like you always do) So don't even think too much about it"

Mrs Bello dropped a call, "That's our daughter calling for the third time. She's worried, they're all worried, this case must not go beyond today oh" she spat out and Morenike exhaled, the woman was beginning to annoy her. "Me I don't see why we are lying oh. That night you went for a political meeting, what's there to just say" "Mummy, stop talking like ...." He trailed off, "Its better we lie so that we will find more favour, not like I'm guilty oh"

"It will also ease the tension of the case. Let's keep our fingers crossed" Morenike answered and Mrs Bello scoffed. "So we'll rely on luck after the money you have received?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Mummy wa!" Chief Kolade snapped, "Take it easy" "Easy? Why can't we just bribe the judge or jury?" She asked, "The same thing I wanted to even talk about!"

Morenike scoffed, "If you dare, you'll lose the case and you'll rot in jail for those allegations. Justice Memud Lateefat will automatically assume you're guilty. She's not the kind of judge you bribe, unless you want to lose the case, fine then but count me out!"

"Where are you going to?" Nana asked Tacha who was about sneaking out the door. "To the court" "You're not going anywhere oh, me sef, I wanted to go to the court today but I have changed mind. Today today, we are going to the hospital to conduct pregnancy test"

"I'm not pregnant Nana"

"Who do you want to lie to? Oya let me get my bag, we're going whether you like it or yes"  "Nana!" "Should I go and get all those home test for you? Is that what you want?"

"Why will you do that?"

"For confirmation now, abi what do you want? Wait let me go and get my bag. Wait oh" she begged walking back and Tacha quickly rushed out into her car where she signalled the security to open up the gate for her to pass through.

Nana got back into the living room with her handbag but Tacha was nowhere to be found, "Ah han, Tacha" she called out then she heard the gate shut. "Ah! Asepe.. (So....) Ah! Well sha, wa si ba mi ni bi! (You'll meet me here). I'm not going anywhere, it's still this house you'll come back to"

Outside the court

Magarette held a microphone staring into the camera before her. "We are here to witness the case between Osas versus Chief Akinola Bello go down today. Will Chief Akinola be crowned guilty and punished for the allegation or will ...."

Raymond took his eyes off the press then he glanced at his wrist watch, "Twenty minutes past eight,where is Osaze and Osas" "I thought you said you won't be staying?" Obianuju asked and he nodded. "I have to meet with Sir Ambrose by ten and I just want to personally wish Osas good luck. Mehn I'm nervous for her"

Omo exhaled, "I'm scared" "No worry, I dey your side" Obinna answered stretching his hands and she batted her eyes at him. "Oh you no want? Okay now" he dropped his hands.

"Hey guys!" Osas called out quite surprised to see them there, "Finally you don reach" Omo exhaled, "You no go work?" "When my best friend dey here? God forbid that kain work! Kamara go handle the rest"

"I go dey fine Omo, you're the secretary"

"Don't bother wasting your spit sis, I've been trying to talk to her. Hey Sis" Obianuju walked close hugging her, "How do you feel?" "My heart is beating, it's like it wants to remove from my chest"

"Good luck Osas" Raymond said and she blushed, "Awwwn, so you missed work to come support me. That's sweet" she hugged him and he smiled, "I didn't miss work, I have an engagement by ten but anyways, I'm still here"

"Thank you"

"Me nko?" Obinna asked and Osas laughed, "Even Obi come, awwn, I feel loved" she answered and he stretched his hands awide. "Wetin do your hand?" She asked and he kept it apart.

"So it's Ray you can hug, na me get Ebola shey?"  He asked and she laughed, "Na by force" "Yes, its by force. Don't leave the hand hanging" he answered and she hugged him.

"Thanks. Where's our latest couple now? Kubiat and Ejiro?" She asked.

Kubiat and Ejiro got out of the car and Osaze walked towards them on sighting them. "Good morning Osaze" Ejiro greeted and Osaze smiled, "Good morning. Osas just left" he pointed and Ejiro walked away in search for Osas.  "When did you get here?" Kubiat asked, "Just now,I saw you car coming so I...." He trailed off nervously, "How far?" He asked afterwards, "Have you guys found him?"

"No."

"Haba, how hard can it be to find one contractor? If we get Simone and you interrogate him till we get the truth out of him, it's a plus for us. That sef is enough to settle the case"

"I'm sorry Osaze, no good news from that end"

"We need witnesses"

"I thought you had the child of the woman that first took Osas in" "Her words will definitely be subject to being countered if you know what I mean. I'm just at the crossroads" "The hunters kor?"

"Those people have codes. If they knew about the happenings, do you think they'll be willing to testify in court"

"Its worth trying Osaze. How's Osas feeling?I'm sure she's nervous, I'm nervous too, where's she!"

Osaze approached them and Kubiat folowed. "Hey guys" he called out raising his brow in shock from seeing Obinna.

"Ha han, Obim, what are you doing here?"

"I came to withdraw money, you did not see me standing beside the ATM machine? Ekwensu! Be asking stupid question" "No now, I'm just shocked your Mom allowed you come that's just all" he chipped in and Raymond laughed bumping fist with Osaze.

"At least my mother is not the one going against you, your mother is"  he snapped and Omo gasped and Obianuju rolled her eyes staring at the ladies.  "Don't even interfer, that's how they do when they're in a good mood"

"This one that you're here? Who's side are you on?" Osaze asked and Obinna laughed, "The winning side, you'll be shocked to see me sitting at the other side when you lose"

"Osaze laughed, " I'm not losing. We need to start going in"

"Not without handing this into the hands of God first" Omo yelled, "Everybody gold hands and close your eyes, we're about to hand this to the Chief Justice of the whole universe" she held Osas' hand and the rest followed.

"Form a big circle"

"Like your mother's cooking pot" Obinna answered receiving glare from everyone. "Baba God, after you, na you, after the you seriously na you still join, na one song say, you are the master of the universe, emperor of days"

"Yes Lord" Osas yelled noddibg her head. "Master of the universe conqueror of days" "Oh yes!" She yelled, "You are the head over principalities" she added and Osas opened one of her eyes and her brow raised at her, "You are the head over principalities"

"You want go studio?" Osas asked, "No, talk make we kukuma know now. Make we put soundtrack make the thing complete now" she added and everyone laughed.

"I thought we were supposed to pray?" Raymond asked, "Wasn't that what I was doing before I was rudely interrupted. Well, everyone close your eyes and look up to God as we pray"

"I confuse, choose one, close our eyes or look up to God"

"Can we just pray already?" Obianuju asked and Omo nodded, "Oya let's close our eyes but look up to God through our inner eyes"

Which one is inner eyes again?

"Baba God, I hear say the judge way they argue this case na one Justice whatever, Baba forget the name,forget the title we know say na you get the real title, na you be true judge, all other title na wash, only you have the final say. As your pikin Osarieme Ovbiokponwam want take go through this wilderness so, I dey ask for that cloud way follow the isrealie from Egypt. God, we know say she no get witness, but na your hand her case dey, even you sef fit join testify say the babe don suffer for this life! And she does not deserve the suffering any longer. Oh Lord, take away this cup from her head"

Raymond opened one of his eyes staring at Obianuju whose eyes were opened too. "We hand over the lawyer Barrister Osaze into your hands, wisdom way pass the one way you give to Solomon, Baba package am, give am so that after this matter don pass we.go get full course to say thank you for the upcoming wedding plan. Chief judge of the whole world, na your mercy we seek, turn everything to our favor, just as you take shut those lions mouth that day for Daniel era ehn, if Osaze Mama wan talk, make her mouth shut, even though she wan talk sense, make am senseless!"

"Omo" Osas called out and she shrugged, "What?" She asked opening her eyes, "Una no answer amen" "The prayer harsh"

"Which prayer harsh, if una no wan talk amen, me go talk  am Amen! Amen! Amen! Holy ghost Fire!" She repeated firmly and Obianuju chuckled covering her lips,   "That was funny"

"We all need to laugh once in a while"

Eniola parked her car then her phone rang. "Where are you?" Jemima asked, "What do you care?" "I can't believe I'm here before you. I came to surprise you" "You're at the court?"

"No, I'm at KFC, where else will I be? Didn't I just make it obvious?" She asked Eniola chuckled getting out of the car. "I just got out of the car, where are you?" She asked looking around then she sighted her with Folabi.

"You're with him?"

"Yes I am. I guess you've seen me then" Jemima hung up, waved at Eniola as she advanced towards them. "What are you doing with him?" "Well....Folabi here has been keeping me company since I got here" she smiled. "Good morning" He greeted and she shrugged.

"Good morning" she answered rolling her eyes. "Are you forgetting something?" Jemima asked, "What?" Eniola asked, "It's someone's birthday today" 

Eniola instantly shut her eyes in guilt, "Oh my God! I totally forgot. I'm sorry" she apologised and Jemima rolled her eyes, "When I didn't see you call this morning, I knew you had forgotten"

"I'm sorry.The case....Banana Bread and Ice cream. I can't believe you came to support the most horrible friend in the world, awwwn, Jemmy, you're so sweet"

"Oh I didn't come to support you, I cane to surprise you. I'm not here for you, I'm here for Osas"

Eniola scoffed, "You don't even know her" "But i believe in her, more reasons for me to support her so.... I'm sorry but you can still give me my banana bread and a gift at my birthday party, I invited Folabi" "Why?" Eniola groaned and Folabi scoffed, "Young lady, what do you have against me?"

"For starters, you calling me that is not so nice"

"What do you prefer, Madam?" He laughed and she rolled her eyes, "You're hopeless" "Oya let's negotiate"

"I don't have anything to negotiate with you. I hope you two will be happy being on the losing team" she snapped and Jemima smiled, "No hard feelings Enny" "No hard feelings" she lied leaving and Jemima laughed.

"There's definitely a hard feeling" she added and Folabi scoffed, "Is there anything soft about her?"

Court

"Will the prosecution call the witness?" Justice Latifat asked adjusting her eye glasses, "Yes your honor, I'll like to call Miss Osarieme Ovbiokponwan to the witness stand." He requested.

"You may proceed" she replied and Osas rose up from the bench down to the witness stand where a baliff walked towards her.

He asked her if she would prefer to swear on a Bible or Qur'an but she chose the Bible instead.

"I Osarieme Ovbiokpomwan swear by the almighty God that the evidence I shall I give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"  Osas said her heart racing fast as she stared into Chief Akinola's face.

"God help me" she muttered, her eyes scattered throughout whole room and she sighted Madam Davina In the crowd.

Tacha seated behind the defense seat turned towards Chike who looked away instantly, his heart broke from seeing her seat there.

She thought of the possibility of being pregnant, she would have been excited if it was Chike's but they've never been careless! She didn't even remember a thing from when Denrele slept with her.

Did he release in her? Why the hell will he? What right does he have to?
I should have taken pills the following day! God! She bit her nails only to be brought back by her brother's voice.

"Your Honour may I approach the witness?" Osaze asked, "You may" Justice Lateefat answered and he approached the stand.

"Miss Osarieme, how many encounter have you had with Chief Akinola Bello" "Two physical encounter and one indirect encounter"  "Lies!" Chief Akinola yelled and the Judge tapped her gavel authoritatively.

"Counsel control the defendant!"

Morenike gave Chief Akinola a look and he hissed.

"Can you please explain to the whole court room how you had a direct and indirect encounter with Chief Akinola Bello"

"Permit me to start by saying I came to Lagos from Benin in search of my siblings who were separated from me a long time ago"

Eniola rolled her eyes, "I never knew I came for a pity party" she whispered to Morenike. "She's trying to sell a sob story to gain pity from the jury"

"I'm not saying this to earn pity from anyone but I'm saying it so everyone can get the story straight. I was linked by one of my distant family to live with a woman named Mama Justice, she sent me packing because of some spiritual issues that arose and I needed a place to sleep. My phone was bad so I reached out to a friend I had made, a friend named Uche, she was a prostitute. She told me she could help me so she gave me a place.... no address to find her. Abeg, Your honor no vex, can I mix pidgin and English together or is there a law against it?"

"You can"

"God bless You Ma, I dey nervous and the thing don choke me" she wrapped her hands around her neck and laughter erupt from different corners of the room. Osaze maintained a serious look then he nodded to her to continue.

"So when I got to the place, we entered taxi, Uche and her friend UD told me to dress up, the dress was so tight and short then we stopped at the hotel, Phoenix hotel that was when they started talking to one guy named Simone, na later I cn find out say him na contractor for politicians, any politicians way one knack girls, na him dey always run the package for them. Most specifically, him dey work for Chief Akinola. These girls come carry key give me, them say make I go room 38, they made me feel like I'll be staying in the room alone" her eyes moistened and she sniffled.

"They told me not to close the door that room service will be coming, I didn't understand what they meant. I went to take my bathe and when I got out Chief Akinola was in bed getting ready for me to sleep with him. I didn't even know that was the service they meant! All I needed was a place to sleep!"

"I told him I wasn't a prostitute and I even told him my story way lead to my coming there but no oh! Chief still say him wan sleep with me. Him even open briefcase show me money, him even come give me money join make I for open leg for am but I no gree. Na so Chief grab me for waist,I tell am make him leave me but him say how him go take leave this sweet thing. I had to fight for my life, I didn't want to risk been raped again"

"You were raped once?" Justice Lateefat asked and she nodded, "As a teenager. I didn't want it happening again so I defended myself by kicking him in his Toros (penis) and then I pushed him on the bed. That was how I was able to escape in my towel."

The assisting counsel walked towards the judge with a flexible containing pictures of Osas outside the hotel in her towel that night.

"Your honour, those are pictures of Osas taken that night just close to the hotel after she escaped being raped by Chief Akinola Bello.  I must bring to your knowledge that the defense has severally been accused of rape, it's not a first" 

"Objection Your Honour,that testimony constitutes hearsay there are no strong evidence to support that claim"  Morenike sounded and The Judge turned towards Osaze, "Are there any evidence to back this up?" She asked and Osaze stalled, "The reports have all been cleared, he does know how well to clean his tracks" he turned towards Chief Akinola Bello.

"Objection sustained"  she answered and Morenike sat down with a grin.

Osaze turned towards Osas, "Can you please enlighten us on your second encounter with Chief?"

"The second encounter was not direct, I was working at the club I used to work in when I was asked by Ochuko, one of the workers, to run for my life but they had me blocked, through the help of my boss, by brother and Adetutu, an old friend from Benin, I was able to escape that night and I and my best friend Ejiro slept over in my brother's house."

"Counsel, your client said she came to Lagos to look for her siblings, now she's talking about her brother" Justice Lateefat stalled completely puzzled.

"She found two of her siblings already, it remains one of them Your honor.  It's a very long and complicated story. With all due respect Ma, I'm sure they're not connected to the case so I there's obviously no point talking about them"

"Proceed counsel"

"What happened after the escape?" He asked Osas and she exhaled, "K was fired from work. The next morning when Ejiro and I went back to the compound where we lived, we found our things burnt. Bottom line is that we didn't feel safe living there any longer, these guys came in every day looking for Ejiro and I. They thought that if they catch Ejiro, they'll get me easily. The third encounter was when I went for one ushering job to get 20 k, there was a political event and they needed ushers, I decided to go with Adetutu because the pay was good and I needed the money badly. She even assured me that the last time she went for the gig, she was paid 20 k immediately and she even got extras from...." She trailed looking at Folabi whose head was lowered to blink back his tears.

"I knew two people that also came for the ushering gig, Uche and UD, the same girls that set me up that night. When I saw them at the park where we were wetin for one Madam Cash, I had to personally teach one of them a lesson by beating her.  After this Madam Cash arrived, we all got into the bus but she didn't follow us. When we got to the place, Adetutu was told not to snap pictures, then they asked us to drop our phones that it'll be returned back to us and we did this. A man addressed us, told us to drink but I didn't, Adetutu didn't too, we went to a room that was when Adetutu went down to demand for her phone. Then.... " She trailed off, "I got the information that girls were being used for rituals and the likes of Chief Akinola Bello and Chief Kolade were using girls for ritual"

"And how do they accomplish this?"

"By calling girls for random ushering gigs. They'll give them the money the first two times and the last time, they'll be used for rituals. Omo na so fear grip me as I hear this, I run commot of the room where I clashed with Adetutu, I come find out say even she don know about the whole parole. She see as them dey carry girls, she even see Chief Akinola join.

"And where is this Adetutu?" Justice Lateefa asked, "She's dead, she was ....killed" Osas answered,"As we say make we escape, them shoot her leg but no be wetin kill Adetutu be that. We were taken into a room, there was blood on the floor, Adetutu was kneeling, there was no dead body, maybe them don carry all the body go, I no know wetin happen, the only people way they na some cult men in their uniforms of which Chief Akinola was a part of them"

"Tell the whole Court room, how you managed to come to that conclusion."

"I heard his voice, when the native doctor said that they can't use my blood say na abomination, he said and I quote, ah Han? How so, is she not like any other girl? Then I begged to be released with Adetutu" she cried "But he didn't agree, that was how he took the matchete and....." She trailed off crying and Osaze passed an handkerchief to her and she wiped off her tears.

"They drove me out of the building into a bush to be killed that was where I got saved by two hunters, a man and his son. They shot the two men and that was how I survived"

"That very day your honour, she called me through one of the Hunter's phone and I rushed to pick her up, her cloth were bloody" he paused moving towards the table, "Your honour, ill beg your indulgence for a moment" he pleaded to receive the evidence, her clothes folded in a transparent nylon which he took to Osas.

"Can you identify this?" He asked and she nodded. "That was the cloth I wore that day."  "The blood on it, did it come from you?"

"No" she sniffled, "That's Adetutu's blood"

"Your honour, at this time, the prosecution would offer exhibit A  into evidence. Those are the clothes she wore that day, they're unwashed, none of the blood there belongs to Osas, those are purely the blood of her friend Adetutu after she was cruelly beheaded"  he walked towards the Judge passing the exhibit to her and she took a long look at it.

"Miss Osarieme witness something cruel that night, her friend along with two other people she knew we're brutally murdered and used for rituals and Chief Akinola Bello being one of the masterminds behind this should be to this effect arrested and given the right punishment accrued to him. That'll be all Your honour"

Justice Lateefa bowed her head and Osaze returned back to his seat.  "Your honour, I'll like to cross examine the prosecutor" Morenike said and the judge bowed her head,  "Proceed"

Morenike walked towards Osas with a grin on her face. "The presecution from her oral testimony gives the impression that the defense actually attempted to rape her that day. Did you report to the police afterwards?"

"Well I've learned not to involve the police in anything I do especially when I'm dealing with rich people" she answered giving Morenike a look she understood so well. "So you were trying to escape from Chief Akinola who tried to rape you and you what? Sat outside just close to the hotel, I want everyone present to please digest this, how can you be running away from someone only to be outside waiting for the person to catch you? It just doesn't add up, if Chief Akinola had something against you, he probably would have gotten you that night but he didn't. It's either you've been heavily paid by another party to sabotage his image or you're just a woman interested in attracting attention"

"Objection your Honour" Osaze yelled, "On what grounds?" The judge asked and he kept quiet, "Objection overruled, you may continue counsel"

"I'm quite aware that in your life, there has been scandals upon scandals, like when she was accused of administering abortion drugs to one Faith." "The girl confessed it was a lie!" Osas answered.

"And then the hotel incidence, you just sitting outside the hotel only to attract attention from social media addicts, not counteracting or circumventing, your testimony, I'm sure these was well crafted out by one of Chief's enemies and this woman here was the instrument for executing the plan"

"I didn't have anywhere to go to, I don't even know any politician"

"But you managed to meet Chief Akinola Bello by luck?" She asked, "It takes some certain connection to get close to someone like him, you must have had encounter with other politicians"

Osas scoffed, "Ah Han, how many days in Lagos?"

"Somethings are just not complete in this story of yours Miss Osas, you said you were thrown out for some reasons, what reasons were they?  What exactly did you do? Were you even thrown out of the house?" She asked and Osaze rose up, "Objection your honour, that has no relevance"

"Objection sustained, counsel" The Judge nodded so Morenike could continue from where she stopped.

"Well, i have reasons to believe this woman isn't being truthful. Miss Osarieme, how well do you love Nollywood movies and Soap operas?" "I love them" "And you watch them consistently right?"

"Yes."

"Your Honour, the prosecutor here released a video on YouTube and the story sounds incredible to the ears almost like a Nollywood script, the likes of Billion clubs and Isakaba. The story of the Hunters sounded like something from a primary school book"

"Objection your honor, Counsel is making a statement and not asking a question"

"Do you have a point counsel?" The judge asked shifting her glasses to he brim of her nose, "Yes I do your honor. Unfortunately, the testimony of Miss Osarieme were not explicitly stated in order to establish a clear understanding to who gave her the information about Chief Akinola. She still gave the same testimony almost like a rehearsed speech;  no one is saying they're untrue but there just one tiny detailing that you keep leaving out. Who mentioned the name Chief Akinola and Chief Kolade when you were in that room?" She asked and Osas hesitated looking at Osas then at Obianuju.

"I...."

"Were you saying something?"

"People were murdered and the only thing you care about is ....." She trailed off shaking her head, "Na wa oh"

"Your honour, i would ask the court to please direct the witness to answer the question which has been asked. Miss Osarieme, who gave you the information that the ones involved in the ritual were Chief Kolade and Chief Akinola?"

"I.... it's..." She stammered, "It's complicated"

"Answer the question" Justice Lateefa demanded and she exhaled. "A girl" "You don't sound sure, what about to the girl afterwards?"

"I don't know"

"How come"

"She's a.... ghost" Osas answered and Morenike raised her brow in surprise, It was better than what she expected. Then she glanced at the judge, the member of the jury and then everyone.

"How can one see a ghost? Consequently, I'm of the opinion that the prosecutor's testimonies are laced with lies and should not be given ears to. They brought a dress as evidence, for all we know, that blood might be an animal blood"

"It's Adetutu's blood! I swear,  I see ghosts, it's a gift!" She yelled busting into tears.

"Any further question defense?" "No your honor, I'll like to bring my witness to the stand"

"The prosecutor may now leave the witness stand" The Judge demanded and Osas left the box for Chief Akinola who had a grin on his face.

After the Baliff went through the usual formalities, Morenike began questioning. "Are you familiar with the prosecutor" "Yes, I won't lie about that. Everyone knows about my weakness for women and they decided to play upon it. With all due respect to my beautiful wife,that night I threw a party at Phoenix hotel, she's a prostitute that someone contracted for me and my colleagues that night but I obviously wasn't aware she'll be in the room before me, she was given keys, I'm sure she planned it with her prostitute friends. When I got in, she had just finished bathing,and she wanted to seduce me into sleeping with her but i instead asked her why she was doing this job and that was when she told me her reasons that she was sent away from where she was living and she needed a place to stay. As a man of influence and character, i decided to give her money so she can help herself out but she rejected and still wanted to force herself on me."

Osas shook her head unbelievably. See as lie sweet for one person mouth!

"I suspected foul play instantly! I knew they was probably an hidden camera somewhere to create maybe a sex tape or something when she realized that mo ti get e, o japa! (That I've gotten her, she ran) That was how she ran away from the hotel room. I didn't lay a hand to rape her, if I had wanted to get her,it wouldn't have been a hard thing "

"So you didn't in anyway attempt to rape her that night?"

"I didn't, ise awon ota mi, it's their work. As we all know that I'm preparing for election and it's common for all these kind of things to come up. I haven't one day planned to kill this girl, she's the one that knows who she offended that is after her or who is paying her to say all this rubbish against me"

"That was the only time I ever saw this girl with my eyes"

"You fit swear on top? You fit?" Omo yelled and the Judge tapped her gavel, "Order!" "Na Ogun go punish you for that lie oh" she added and Justice Lateefa once against slammed the gavel, "Order before I have you thrown out of this court room" she threatened and Obianuju tapped her her.

"Abegi! Him dey lie now"

"I know but we have to remain calm still"

"Chief Akinola Bello,never sent thugs to go after the prosecution"

"Never ever!"

"Did you ever host any ushering political event?" She asked and he shook his head. "No"  "That day I was at home with my wife, she can bear me witness. Even my workers can bear me witness, its God that just said I should stay at home and I did."

"Miss Osarieme expressly said she heard Chief Akinola's voice,and she testified that her friend saw Chief Akinola but how can a man be at two places at the same time?" She asked, "Abi?" Chief's wife answered from where she was seated. 

Morenike turned to the crowd, satisfied that they were now convinced as to who to trust, she bowed her head to the Judge, "That'll be all for now, Your honour" she said returning back to her seat.

"Prosecutor will like to cross examine the witness, Your honour"

"Go ahead"

Osaze rose up, " Thank you your honour. May I approach the witness?" Osaze asked then he moved close to the witness stand after being given approval to. "Chief Akinola, are you familiar with the name Simone?" He asked and he shrugged. "Many people bear the name, it's not a new name under the sun"
"The contractor from who you got linked to Miss Osarieme"

"How does that concern you?"

"Answer the question"

"Yes, so what if I know him?" "Correct me if I'm wrong Sir, these contractors, do they call on girls randomly for politicians without their knowledge?" He asked and Chief kept quiet, "Do they?" "Listen to me boy, I know what she's using to hold you but I'm openly saying it to everyone here that I am innocent of these charges levelled against me"

"You're only trying to create a diversion, just answer the question. Do they contract girls without your knowledge, yes or no?"

"In some cases when its a special order from a friend and that day it was a special order from a friend"  "What's his name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"What's the name of the friend who had Simone contact those girls who in turn reached Miss Osarieme" "How is that relevant to this matter?" "Sir, you said women are your weakness, have you ever cheated on your wife?"

"Objection your Honour! Counsel is badgering the witness. That question an arbitrary decision and shouldn't be employed against the defense" Morenike answered and the Judge glanced at Osaze interested to know where he was going with his questions.

"Objection overruled, continue counsel"

"Thank you your honour."  He answered moving closer to him, "Have you?" "Just like every man in the world, i have a weakness and I'm not exactly Saint Michael but my wife knows I'm a good husband and a father to my children"

"Based on your testimony that you didn't attempt to rape my client, if you've cheated on your wife, then why was it so difficult for you to sleep with a woman you considered to be a prostitute? Why repent overnight?" "Because I wasn't in the mood"

"You weren't in the mood so you decided to help her in financially, why?"

"Because that's what I do, I am a generous man to the core"

"So you didn't grab her buttocks, telling her and I quote from Osarieme's statement, you want me to let go of this sweet thing?"  "Your fiance is lying against me, iro lo n pa! (It's a lie!) She wanted to frame me ni"

"From my study Your honour, people don't just contract workers without their knowledge. If he was the one throwing a party, he would have obviously been the one to present the girls to his guest so they can feel comfortable, isn't that so Chief Akinola?"

"My comment is not nice so i reserve it"

"Yes he claims he wasn't aware the girl was inside, how's that possible? Weren't you scared when you found your door opened? Why didn't you call security? Chief Akinola Bello claims to be innocent of the charges, he claims he didn't attempt to rape my client but why would he come to my office in attempt to bribe me to drop the case?" He asked and Morenike raised her brow in shock; she wasn't aware of it!

"That's a lie"

"Are you denying you were in my office?" He asked and the evidence was brought to the Judge causing everyone to murmur. "Your honour, permission to play the recording?" "Permission granted"

The recording was played, via Bluetooth loud enough for everyone to hear. 

"Are you aware that you just called my fiance a whore?" He asked and he laughed nervously. "Did you just say fiance? Now I see what she's using to hold you. Wo, you have not carried your eyes to better market oh. That girl is an asewo, yes! I'm the one that said it"

"Any more insult from you Chief will not be tolerated, I might just ask you to leave" "But it's not an insult, she's a prostitute" "And you know because?"

"Because she was brought as a slut to warm my bed"

"And you tried to rape her and she escaped. I'm quite aware of this" 

"Are you recording this?"

"Why should I? Does my Mother know you're here?"

"No she doesn't. Wo, oya let's go down to business, let me kukuma say what i have in mind. I want you to desist from defending that girl,since she's your fiance, you can do something about it. I don't want to go to court, court cases are waste of money and time ehn, understand me, I'm trying to win an election here"

"You deceived poor girls in the name of ushering and you had them murdered for some ritual" "I am willing to pay you 50 million naira to the foundation so you can brush this matter under the rug, there's no case here, even if there is, you can't win oh"

"You can take your 50 million naira blood money elsewhere, I don't need it"

"Ah! You are making a wrong decision oh. A very wrong decision! You should think deeply on this, do you know what this money can do for you? For this foundation?" "Please leave my office Sir"

The recording was stopped murmurings came from different corners of the room. "Order in the court!" Justice Lateefa demanded tapping the gavel.

The mummuring died down and Osaze continued from where he stopped from. "Why will he come to my office to bribe me if he' doesn't have something to hide" "Because I was trying to avoid scandals like this" Chief answered and Morenike rose up.

"Your honour, it was evident that even in that implicating recording, my client still claimed he was innocent of the charges"

"Probably because he realized the call was being recorded" Osaze answered and the judge slammed the gavel.

Justice Lateefa adjourned till the following week, the 11th of October. Specifically to examine the facts and she also hoped to be in a better state of health before the following week.

What are your thoughts on this chapter😀

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Pardon my court scenes oh, abeg I no be lawyer, I only have imaginations and I try to make them alive through writing😂

In your own opinion, if you guys were in this courtroom, whose favour will your rule the case?

Let me start typing the next chapter jare 😂