UNFORGIVABLE

05/04/2019 "KNSJ/36c/2019. The State v Hilal Dikko" the court clerk called the case "Accused Person present and speaks English" "Any appearance?" the Judge asked. "May it please this Honourable Court, F.J.Gali, Principal State Counsel, my humble appearance is for the State." the Judge scribbled down what he said and urged him to continue. "My lord the case is slated today for mention, however the accused person is not represented my lord." the prosecutor said and the Judge turned to the accused person standing in the dock. "Why are you not represented" he looked down "I'm sorry" "It's not the issue of you being sorry, yours is a capital offence and you're entitled to a representative of your choice, if you can't afford one, the State will provide one for you. So let's hear what you have to say" "I will get a lawyer as soon as I can" the Judge nodded "So how long do you need to get a counsel?" ""Two weeks" "Court clerk, check our dairy for a convenient date within two weeks" the clerk got up "My lord the dairy is filled up for the whole of April, but first week of May is empty. Is 5th of May convenient for you?" he asked the Prosecutor "Yes 5th is okay by me. The court clerk informed the Judge. "Case adjourned to the 5th of May 2019, to enable accused person secure the services of a representative. He should be further remanded in prison custody before then" the Judge announced "As the court pleases." the accused stepped out of the dock and went to sit at the back, with other accused persons. *** "Officer please can I have a word with him?" the Prison warden leading Hilal and other accused persons away shot the man who just spoke to him a glare, before hissing and saying "Two minutes." He heaved "How are you" Hilal looked ahead "Alhamdulillah" "Haydar's seven days prayer was three days ago" "May his soul rest in Jannah Firdausi" "Ameen. Since we have a month now, at least we have ample time to get a good lawyer." "I still insist Muslim, I don't need a lawyer. I just want to be sentenced for the crime I committed. Please respect that." Muslim gave him a pointed look, he knew how stubborn his friend could be. "But you heard what the Judge said, you have to be represented" "I don't care, I still insist" "Okay then" Muslim surrendered. But deep down, he knew he was getting a lawyer to represent his friend. Hilal bade him goodbye and entered the awaiting Prison van. *** Hilal just wanted to go straight to the room allocated to him along side others and rest, but it seemed the others weren't in for that. They kept gossiping about how the Judge carried himself so high and mighty, the court clerk who couldn't interpret from Hausa to English very well, the lawyer who kept fumbling and sweating and the new wig who was so meek and nervous she kept repeating her initials before the Judge got her. The hot lawyer who one of them wished to spend just a night with, and he will be contented for life... Hilal have had enough, he tuned them out and closed his eyes, not long after that someone roughly nudged his shoulder. He peered his eyes open and stared at one of the prisoners he heard the others referring to as Black. He was indeed black, with bloodshot eyes and numerous scars on his body. Black had gone rubbing a house and got caught, he was standing trial before one of the judges when his lawyer secured bail for him. With a number of conditions, one of which was to be of good character. He got into a fight in the third month of his bail and killed two people. Now he's back, appearing before two courts for two capital offences. The worry of the outcome was the least of his problems though. "Mister man, you no know say senior dey for this carban abi? You dey my carban but you dey form big boy, you no sabi greet. I go whoze you, olori buruku" Hilal just stared at him. He got angry and landed Hilal a blow, which took the latter unawares. Some of the inmates hailed and sided with black, others who knew he was wrong, simply kept quiet because they could not afford to be in his bad books. The commotion brought one of the wardens in. He warned them and eyed Hilal, as if to say 'you're on your own, fight for your right' and left.