TREACHEROUS ORDEAL

CHAPTER 7

Mike was alone in the cell. Alone in Lagos and alone in this situation as there was no means to reach any of his friends, relatives or immediate family.

It's been two days since Mike was detained and Mrs Janet is still in the hospital. She had some serious complications. Her pregnancy was almost nine months old. About two to three weeks to the due date.

Mr. Olumide went through the text again,

"Dear Janet, did you think all will be well with you after all you made me pass through in that house? You will not survive your labour. I won't curse the innocent child but if your demise will take the baby along, so be it. Rest in hell."

"Now, she's having complications and this could be Mike's threat taking effect", he thought.

He had contacted his lawyer the first day and explained all to him. The lawyer asked him to ensure that he is still in the cell pending when he returns the next week.

"This is a matter of unprovoked threat to one's life", he concluded.

During interrogation at the police station, he was questioned and he provided the exact answer. They requested for the said Jennifer's phone number but her contact was never reachable.

They assumed he was feeding them with false information, so they went ahead to torture him the more.

"You're one hard kind of criminal. Don't worry, you'd spend the rest of your days in Kirikiri prison unless you tell the truth, now!"

All effort to extract any other information from him proved abortive. He chose to remain with his truth. He knew quite well that if he pleads guilty, his case would become irredeemable.

In a few days, Mr. Olumide's Lawyer returned. After much deliberation, his case was introduced to a court. A lawyer volunteered to represent him. Unfortunately, on the trial day, the Judge was not available. He had to be remanded in prison till further notice from the court.

On his first day in prison, he met six other inmates in his cell. First, they had to introduce themselves and it isn't the usual kind of introduction that he knew.

He was beaten blue-black as a welcome remark. He had black Chinese eyes and swollen hippo lips.

Afterwards, they introduced themselves by their names in order of their rank from the oldest time spent in the prison to the youngest. One's real age was not considered necessary.

Every now and then, Mike would burst into tears crying like a baby. He knew he was innocent but there's no way he could prove that he was.

"If I had known, I would have stayed back with my mom in Delta. I wouldn't have bothered coming to this state in the first place. Now, none of my relatives knows if I'm alive or not", he sobbed.

At one point, each inmate started saying stories of what brought them there. Others were real criminals except Bola and himself whose cases were different.

Bola narrated that he was picked up at around 9:00pm on his way to his friend's place to pick up his phone. He took it there to charge as there was a power outage in his area. There was a raid in that community and he was among those arrested for robbery. He was sent to the prison subsequently as one of the victims was an influential person who lost his life. He was brought there to await trial ever since, he hasn't heard from any one.

"It's three years already and my family must have lost hope in ever finding out where I am", he got emotional.

Bola, a young man in his early thirties. Tall, dark and handsome with diastema that beautifully displays whenever he speaks.

One, two, three, four, five months was gone and Mike was still awaiting trial. He had given up already, waiting patiently for what's next for him.

Mike was lucky that he had enough money in his account. So, he purchased a bed, and made sure everything the inmate ate was good food. Automatically, he became their "chairman". Became the head of the inmates.

Mike started praying. Asking God for mercy in all he's ever done wrong. Prayed on behalf of other inmates as well. Most times, Bola joined during prayers.

Gradually, they started having morning and evening devotions in the prison. It becomes a daily routine for them. He led them in devotions and controlled other activities they did to keep body and soul together.

Four months later, a pastor took it upon himself to go to the prison and share some words with inmates. His schedule was just for two hours and may not visit again.

Pastor Desmond was allowed to have some time with the inmates of only three cells for the day. He went on preaching to them and touching as many lives as those who accepted to sincerely desist from their old ways.

After the sermon, while the inmates were headed back to their cells, the man called on Mike to spare him some minutes. He walked back and joined him sitting on the next chair, facing him.

"Eeerrmm... I just felt to ask, if you don't mind to tell me, what brought you here?"

Mike quickly briefed him on how he got into prison as the time was almost up to get back in.

"Honestly, I am innocent of all the allegations against me. I didn't send that text message. It must definitely be Jennifer when I met her at the market", he said.

"Alright, I'd be busy for the rest of this week. I'll come visit you along with my lawyer next week as my schedule is very tight."

"Alright sir, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you so much. I'll be looking forward to seeing you soon."

They stood and shook hands.