Abdulhakeem: Welcome, Mr. Suraj. Why don’t you introduce yourself to everyone?
Mr. Suraj: Hello everyone, my name is Suraj Abolarin. I’m related to this lady, Mustakeemah, by marriage. I was married to her late aunt, Adeshola. She passed away four years ago, so that makes Mustakeemah my sister-in-law.
Abdulhakeem: Good. Now, can you tell us everything that happened from A to Z? And please, do not leave anything out.
Mr. Suraj: (he breaks down in tears as he begins to narrate all he did to her, and how they sold her to Mubarak. His storytelling lasts almost an hour, leaving the audience and the judge in shock) …and that was how I ended up in a wheelchair, Your Honor. (already soaked in tears)
Abdulhakeem: (wipes his own tears) Thank you, Mr. Suraj, for your confession. You may take your leave now. (he removes a handkerchief from his pocket and hands it to Mustakeemah, who is already drenched in tears) Your Honor, as we all listened to her uncle’s words, we can now see that she had been suffering since childhood. Ever since she lost her parents, life has been unbearable for her. Imagine if any of you were in her shoes. She was molested and raped by that man over there (points at Suraj). That wasn’t all—they sold her to a stranger as a slave. She was locked under his roof for four good years without stepping out. Then what Mr. Yemi said earlier was a big lie! She never stepped out of that house until he passed away. Next in line, I would like to call upon someone who is ready to make a confession regarding Mubarak’s mental health.
Judge: Yes, you may.
Lawyer Aregbeshola: (sweating and panting heavily)
Abdulhakeem’s family were all excited.
Lukman: (happily smiling at Lawyer Aregbeshola) You have no idea who you’re messing with.
Abdulhakeem: I would like to call upon Miss Asmau, who is also known as the late Mr. Mubarak’s younger sister.
Mubarak’s mom: (turns to her in shock) Asmau! I hope they are not referring to you? So, you want to go out there and oppose your brother’s death? You want your brother’s murderer to go scot-free after all your brother did for you, Asmau? (she breaks down in tears) What kind of child are you?
Asmau: (sad face) I’m sorry, Mum, but I can’t hide this any longer. I need to let out the truth. This secret has been eating me up for a very long time, and I can’t hold it anymore. (tears roll down her eyes as she walks up to Abdulhakeem)
Abdulhakeem: (welcoming her with an encouraging smile) You are highly welcome.
Asmau: (she swears with her religious belief) My name is Asmau Olowolayemo, and I am my late brother’s younger sister. I have known him since birth as my elder brother, but we didn’t grow up together because he was raised by our grandmother. My mom used to tell me a lot about her only son whom I had never met. The first day I met him was when I was in SS2. He came home wearing his NYSC uniform, and I was so happy to tell my friends and neighbors that my elder brother was finally with us. As time went on, living under the same roof, he began to show his true character towards me. Anytime I reported him to our mother, all she said was that I should respect him because he wasn’t my mate and was the only son Allah blessed her with. Sometimes I felt like she wasn’t my real mother, because of how she showered him with love. Maybe that was why he treated me however he liked. One particular day, my mom went out, leaving us alone in the house. I was in my room studying when he barged in and started pouncing on me without telling me my offence. He made sure he saw blood coming out of my body before he finally let go of me. I cried my eyes out that day, wondering what I had done. When my mother came home, I reported to her, but all she said was that I lacked respect for him and that was why he punished me—so I wouldn’t disrespect him again. Up till today, she has never asked why he beat me that day. I received so many punches from my elder brother, until one horrible day. My mom went out as usual, and we were left alone again. I realized that anytime he was angry, he looked for someone to injure just to make himself feel better. That day, I overheard him arguing on the phone with his girlfriend. I knocked on his door to ask if everything was okay. He opened the door, and the next thing he did was drag me into his room and start pouncing on me again, just because I had the guts to interrupt his call.
Audience: (murmuring)
Asmau: He beat me until I bled from my nose and body. But I didn’t let him go scot-free. I gathered enough courage to face him and warned him never to touch me again, that I wasn’t a punching bag. His mother gave birth to me too! The next thing he did was push me against the wall and slap me so hard I almost lost my sight. Then… the next thing I noticed was that he started undressing me, trying to take off my skirt as I struggled for air.
Audience: (surprised murmuring
Asmau: But he was too powerful that day… my brother was the one who deflowered me.
Mubarak’s mom: (in shock, tears flowing from her eyes)
Asmau: Yes, Mum… he was the man I have always hated so much. After that horrible day of my life, he threatened me not to tell anyone. He said if I ever tried to speak, that would be my last day on earth. He also promised to give me a monthly allowance for the rest of his life, as compensation for deflowering me. I have lived with this nightmare since that day. My nights have been haunted—I could never sleep in peace, carrying the pain that my own elder brother raped me. Hearing that he had passed away was the happiest day of my life… but I felt deeply sorry for this lady who also went through hell under his roof. Only God knows the worse pain she endured. Knowing that you are carrying his child makes me angry, but you deserve to survive.
Asmau: And as for his so-called friend, everything he said was a big fat lie. He was the one who wanted to sleep with her, but she declined. He was never my brother’s real friend—he was only a backstabber. I have all the evidence with me right here. (plays the video and voice recording) So everything he said about her was false. This woman went through worse than I did, and she doesn’t deserve any more punishment. Death was exactly what my brother deserved. So please, let her go. All she did was defend herself. And if I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t have just killed him—I would have cut his flesh into pieces, because I know what it feels like to be raped. So, Your Honor, let her go home and start a new life. That’s all I have to say. Thank you. (she joins the audience as everyone goes silent for a few seconds)
Abdulhakeem: (clears his throat) Uhmm… Your Honor, this evidence is 100% enough to prove that Mustakeemah is innocent. What she did was only out of self-defense. She should be set free, and this should also serve as a lesson to other men out there who violently hurt people and take pleasure in it. We all await your verdict, sir. That’s all I have to present. (he moves to his seat and looks at Lukman from afar) My guyyy!
Lukman: (gives a thumbs up) You are doing well.
Mustakeemah: (soaked in tears)
Judge: Well, today has been such a very dramatic and emotional presentation, am I right everyone? I hereby make my verdict: Mrs. Mustakeemah Nurudeen is proven innocent. The death of her husband, the late Mr. Mubarak, was a result of self-defense. I hereby announce that she should be set free and start a new life with her unborn child. His property shall be divided and handed over to Mrs. Mustakeemah. This case is hereby closed. (rises)
Mustakeemah: (she falls on her knees in tears)
Abdulhakeem’s family run to her, embracing her in tears as they jubilate over her freedom.
Abdulhakeem: (he moves closer to her and embraces her tightly) Congratulations, my love.
Mustakeemah: (her cries increase as she sights Lukman smiling and watching her from afar. She gets up and walks to him) I love you, Lukman. I love you so much. (she embraces him)
Lukman: (shocked) I… I… love you more. (excited)
Abdulhakeem: (sadly lowers his head as his family pats his back) It’s okay… at least she is free now. That’s all that matters. I feel so relieved… Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin.
THE END!!!