Triumph of evil

Stephen Obasi has been sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for d**g trafficking. His mother is devastated and she is slightly depressed. She is sitting down at home. Tears could be seen rolling down her cheeks momentarily. “No, say No,” Rebecca screamed. “Steve! God! What have I done to deserve this?” she soliloquizes. “My only son, my only joy, my pride, my only reasonable human is in jail.” She paused. “I must disappoint my husband, his father? Oh my God! This boy must come out of jail. I must do something about it, and do it now.” She said resolutely amidst sobbing. She picks up her phone and dials a number. She continues to tap her toe on the ground while waiting for the receiver on the other side to connect. “Hello! Hello!” she repeats. “Hello, madam,” responds the voice from the other side. “Please, I would like to see you for a very important matter.” “What about today?” “Ehm! No, I have an appointment with another client of mine today. Will tomorrow be okay?” “Tomorrow! Then, tomorrow morning.” “First thing tomorrow morning.” “I will be expecting you. Thanks,” she expresses her gratitude and hangs up. “I must appeal against that judgment.” She says affirmatively. “Barrister Margaret must come out of jail.” The following morning, Barrister Margaret Olaoye arrives at Rebecca’s house. After the exchange of pleasantries, Rebecca offers her a seat and goes straight to the reason for the urgent call. “Barrister, it’s because of my son’s issue.” “Okay. What about him?” “Oh! Sorry for my manners, what can I offer you?” “Don’t worry, madam. I’m okay,” replies Margaret. Okay, Barrister Margaret, as I was saying, I called you in respect of my son's case. I want to appeal against the judgment, but I don't know how to go about it. I just want you to guide me. This boy must leave jail! Barrister Margaret, what do we do?" "Thank you, madam. The first thing we need to do is to look at the case critically. This is a case that has to do with d**g trafficking. It is a criminal case. We need to do our homework very well before we say we want to appeal." "I agree. Yes! But Appeal! That's what I want to do. I want to appeal against the judgment." Rebecca responded with enthusiasm. "Sure, we'll appeal against the judgment. But before then, we need to do certain things." "What are those things, barrister?" "From the proceedings of the high court, it seems your son worked for some people." "E-Ehm, I think so," Rebecca replied hesitantly, not sure of the exact situation. "We need to fish out those people." "How?" "We'll involve some detectives and the police to help us bring out those involved." "That reminds me, Barrister, I remember Steve told me that he got the job through one of his schoolmates when he was in the university." "Do you know the name of this friend?" "Unfortunately, no. But I remember the name of the company he got the job in is Greenfield Consultancy." "Greenfield Consultancy!" Margaret repeated, writing the details in her notepad. "Yes, that's the name." "Do you know the exact location of the company?" "I don't really know the place, but he told me the place is in Ikeja." "Fine. We're getting somewhere. What did he call the nature of their business?" "What Steve told me was that the company is into import and export." "Import and export indeed," Margaret remarked sarcastically. "d**g trafficking too is import and export." Rebecca squeezes her mouth without altering a word. "Well, Madam Becky, we'll still need to meet with your son and get some vital information from him. This will be a form of lead." "That means we'll go and see him in prison." "Yes!" Rebecca replied When do we go there?" "As soon as possible." "What about tomorrow? Do you have any case in court or any other thing you want to attend to?" "No, my next court appearance is in four days' time!" "Okay. Tomorrow by nine a.m., I'll come and pick you in your chambers." "All right, I'll expect you." "No problem," says Rebecca, bidding her farewell. The next morning, Becky and Margaret arrive at the prison where Steve is serving his jail term. They first registered their presence with the controller of the prison. "Good morning, sir," Margaret greeted. "Good morning, madams. How may I help you?" The controller responded courteously. "We're here to see one of the inmates," replies Barrister Margaret. "Oh! Please, have your seat," he points to the seats before him. "Who are you to him and what's his name?" "I'm Barrister Margaret Olaoye and this is his mother, Mrs. Becky Obasi. His own name is Steve Obasi." "Steve Obasi," he repeats, checking the name on his computer, "The boy that was convicted for d**g trafficking?" "Oh yes, sir!" Becky and Margaret answered together. "If I may ask, why do you want to see him?" "We want to ask him some questions because we intend to appeal against the judgment." "Aa-ha!" The controller responded with interest. "Yes. I know that some people pushed my son to do this. He can't hurt a fly," Becky said, almost in tears. "Ehm, madam, I don't want us to get emotional about this. I'll call someone that will take you to his cell." The controller said, picking up the intercom and called an officer, "Festus, report in my office now." He says authoritatively and drops the phone. "When he comes, he'll take you to him," he says to them. "Thank you, sir," responds Mrs. Obasi in appreciation. After about a minute, a tall, dark prison warder enters. "Shun, sir!" Festus salutes. "Now, Festus, take these ladies to cell B14 where the boy that was convicted for d**g trafficking is. They want to chat with him for some minutes." "Ehm, sorry sir, who are they?" Festus inquires. "This is his lawyer," pointing to Margaret, "and she's his mother," pointing to Rebecca. Alright sir. Permission to fall out, sir," Festus saluted again. "Permission granted," the controller says, dismissing him. "Thank you, sir, we're grateful," Becky and Margaret express their appreciation. "Oh! You're welcome." When they got to the cell, they saw Steve sitting in a brooding position. He started when he heard footsteps. "Eh! Steve!" called the warder as he moved towards the cell's iron door to fling it open. "Your mother and your lawyer want to see you." Steve looks up with a sad countenance. He's a little bit lean. His mother could not hold back tears. "Steve! My God! Look at my son," she says, sobbing. "Barrister Margaret just look at Steve." "Ehm, Madam Becky, take it easy. Everything is going to be fine." Barrister Margaret tried to console Becky. "Madam, take it easy. You have just ten minutes to spend," the warder informed them. "I am giving that long time because you want to ask him questions." "No problem," Margaret replies. Steve comes out of the cell and he's asked to sit on a chair close to the cell. There's also a table there. "Mum, how are you?" His mother inquires with tears. "Mum, I'm not fine." Steve remarks bitterly. "I'm so sorry, my son. You're not supposed to be here truly. We are here to make sure you get out of here within a short time. But most importantly, we need your assistance to hasten the process," Becky calmly explained. "How do you want to do it?" Steve asked curiously. "We want to appeal against the judgment," Becky answered. "Yes, Steve. Your mum is right, we're appealing against the judgment." "Appeal? But I-I-I mean is it really worth it? Don't you think it'll be a waste of time and money?" Steve asked, still a bit curious. "How do you mean?" Margaret probes. "I was caught red-handed with the drugs. The whole thing is glaring. How do you want to go about the appeal for such a case?" "I know, Steve, you are caught with the drugs. But you worked for some people. Isn't it?" Margaret asks. Steve kept mum. "Steve, please reveal these people so that things would be easy for us," Becky pleaded. Steve, he looks at Margaret's direction. "Let us know these people even if you feel that everyone must be punished, you shouldn't be the only one to suffer for it. Remember that any criminal who walks freely while the only one caught for the act is punished must also be punished too. Steve, think about it." Margaret implored. "Imagine such a thing. Becky continued, "They are walking the street as free men, suffering along." Becky concurs to the cry against the unfair judgment. "Steve, just tell us. Introduce them?" Steve asked confused. "My friend at my university, we were university together." Margaret said. "Ehm. What about the name?" What is his name?" Becky insisted. "Stephen. His name is Stephen," Steve leads without amidst sobbing. "We're just pushing this, this will give us lead and you'll leave here in no distance time." "Yes, but he has other names." "Why? Because you are traumatized, can't tell us your other names?" "Look, Margaret, this is a sacred oath, I can't tell you their names." "What? Exclaimed Becky. You, Stephen! Oath! What kind of oath?" "They said I'll die if I reveal their identity." "You'll not die Steve, you will live and not die by the grace of God." Becky retorted boldly, pointing her second finger across her head. "It's they and their family that will die." "Steve, you must live. When you be out, I've told your mom we'll employ some security hands to fish these people if need be. Again, before I forget, your company is Greenfield consultancy." "Yes, located in Ikeja." "Where in Ikeja?" "Fine." "Even if you don't give the name of those that sent you, this is a very good lead," Margaret said. "Ehn! Barrister Steve called Margaret." "Madam, your time is up!" Exclaimed the warder. "Sorry officer, we're almost through." Replied Margaret Let me tell you their names and I pray nothing happens to me.' Steve said with emotions. 'Nothing will happen to you, my dear, please give the barrister their names. It's for your own sake.' Becky begged her son. 'Okay. Their names are Kayode Akinola, that's my friend you were asking after and chief Okonkwo. He is the chairman of the company.' 'Good! Steve! You'll hear from us and by the grace of God, nothing bad will befall you.' Margaret says enthusiastically. 'Steve! Nothing bad will happen to you by God's grace. I'll come back in three days' time after we must have finished with the appeal processes.' Becky hugs her son in tears. 'Bye, mum. Barrister, bye for now.' 'Okay, Steve I'll come and check on you again.' Steve rises from the seat and the warder led him back to the cell. ---