The shady vermin

7

"Your honor, I do have something that turns the whole case over", Ubayd said as he adjusted his suit, as if he just got fired up. But I knew it was just a bluff attempt to drag the case. "Your honor, l have a witness". And there was sudden shock and air of uncertainty, nobody knew who, or what was next.
A lady appeared at the entrance, and as she moved into the court, I stretched and noticed that it was the maid we fired from the house! The unrest of the court was then calmed by the curious judge, while the smiling faces of Baba Nasiru and his wife, turned to agitation, as the maid girl moved to the stands.
"Introduce yourself you the court" Ubayd started.
"My name is Rahma Abbas" she replied
"And do you know those people?" he pointed at me and Nabila.
"Yes I-I worked for them" and lowered her head.
"Worked? Meaning you no longer work there...Why? What happened?"
"I stole their things and betrayed them" with a softer voice of shame. And the court buzzed again. But for me, I was getting overwhelmed.
"Order in my court" the judge demanded, then nodded to Ubayd to signal his continuation.

Ubayd while adjusting his buttons and seemingly more pumped, "Ms. Rahma, do you know that man?" and he point at Baba Nasiru's direction. But she lowered her head, and was mute. "I need you to answer please, do you know that man?" Ubayd urged.

"Yes" very softly, she replied.
"I need you to speak up, please" he nudged.
"Y-Yes...Yes I know him" she replied, and a collective gasp, fills the courtroom. While Baba Nasiru lowered his head and rubbed against it with his hand.

In agitation, Imran stood as he proclaimed, "Objection! Your honor, what has this got to do with the case?"

And the judge nodded in affirmation, "Mr Ubayd, be straightforward and show us the relevant of this witness".

"Yes your honor" Ubayd then turned to the maid girl. "Can you please tell the court about your relationship with him and exploits you both partook?".

She sighed, and then started, "Well, that man used to make me spy on the household and also sleep with me, then pay me a lot of money". Different exclamations arose from different angles of the court, but I and Nabila were exceptions, because we were elated and happy.
"Objection! How is my client's personal life a-"

"Overruled" the judge shut off Imran's proclamation, and waved Ubayd another signal of continuation.

Ubayd had worn a smirk on his face, looked at the audience like, "are you all ready for entertainment?", before turning back to the maid girl. "What was your last encounter? Or your last work for him?"

Imran stood again to interfere, "Your honor! Mr. Ubayd is not a-"

"Mr. Imran, another word from you, and I'll hold you in contempt of the court" the judge cautioned with a stern look on her face. "Carry on Mr. Ubayd" she added.

"Thank you, your honor" said Ubayd with his head bent a bit and hand on his chest, to show appreciation. Then he turned back to the girl in the stand, "So what was your last encounter? Or your last work for him?" he asked her.

"Well..." she hesitated
"Go on please, and loud enough for people at the back, thank you". Ubayd chipping in.

"Okay, Well-W-Well he sent me to steal some papers, but when I gave it to him, I think he took the one he needed and gave me back, then he slept with me, before paying me for everything". and lowered her head again in utter shame.

"Do you have a witness?" The judge asked, but she shook her head. The courtroom began to bubble with reactions, but the judge gave order to it again. "Well a witness or evidence is needed, else the balance will be shifted again".

"Well your honor, fortunately, I have another witness. If I may?", and the judge permitted. As I thought of, what, or who was next. Everyone was anticipating, I was thrilled but more than anything, I was probably the most relieved person in the courtroom. Just then, a masculine figure, that I couldn't make out was approaching the entrance. It is Medo? No, one of the relatives? Maybe, I was unsure. Once he got in, I realised it was Mansoor! I wasn't sure what he had to offer but I was like a kid seeing Santa Claus for the first time. I turned and I noticed that her joy was at brim, she had teared up. Then I patted her back,softly, then she held my arm, and lightly placed her head on my shoulder. And watched Mansoor walk to the stand.

"Identify yourself, please" Ubayd said to him without even looking the direction, oozing confidence and that charismatic aura.

"My name is Mansoor Mista Chu, the kwaret mai gadi" as he pointed himself, feeling cool. The entire courtroom collectively took up with light laughs, then the judge restored it again.

"What do you know of that man, and that girl over there?" point at Baba Nasiru and the maid respectively.

"Ah ah ah" he paused and laughed hysterically. "The two both of them, used to do kerewawa in the generator house place, even in the boys quarters room and the many place in the gida" and laughed to himself again.

"Okay, shows they know each other. Anything else?". Ubayd asked.

"Ah yes, when I catch am for thief oga madam gold, and oga send am out, I see her phone wey she forget. I carry am I see message plenty wey...wait see am" he brings out a phone from his pocket and hands it to Ubayd, who then passes it the judge.

"There are messages, pictures and even videos to support the statements of my witnesses and proves my client is innocent your honor". He said to the judge who then scrutinises the evidenced for a while. "It is time." The judge said this statement with finality. "I will now pass sentence of the verdict. I agree with the jury on the verdict of guilt, and hereby sentence Mallam Nasiru Mai Hula to 2 years to life in prison, plus fine to compensate the accused."
I can't even put in words the emotions I felt that day, from extremely terrible to the most unexpected and genuine happiness. A day for the bastard, a day for orphans, a good day to win a case.
And just when we were outside, we saw them take Baba Nasiru away. He looked disheveled and pitiful, but he's getting his side of the bread he baked. As we stood there, Ubayd answered a call, and when he finished, he told me Medo was congratulating me, and that he had got his daughter back. It was a really happy day, and Ubayd asked us to follow him home, because he asked his wife to make us some treats. When we got to his house, I asked Ubayd to explain how he won the case for us.
"Alright then, but first let's cool the steam off"
"Hamdiyy let celebration begin"
"Start with our favorite Oreos blast, they'll love it", and he laughed. Then we had our small rave, simply enjoying the moment....a day to remember.

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