Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 5
Unexpected Trouble Episode 5
Uche sat in his sitting room thinking about Livinus. He could not forget the sad face he saw at the station. He knew his friend did not have the strength to survive what was going on. Without wasting more time, he picked his phone and called Barrister Raymond, a lawyer he met through a friend. “Please, help my friend. I know he didn’t kill that girl,” Uche pleaded. The lawyer listened and agreed to visit the station the next morning. Uche used part of his savings to make a deposit. He was determined to help Livinus get out.
The next morning, Barrister Raymond arrived at the police station. He was well-dressed, calm, and confident. His black suit was clean, and his brown briefcase looked expensive.
As soon as he stepped into the station, the officers became quiet. They looked at one another. One of them whispered, “Who called this big lawyer?” Another one replied, “Maybe the suspect get people for high places.” The lawyer walked to the counter and spoke clearly. “Good morning officers. I am here to represent Mr. Livinus, the young man in your custody over the death of Miss Melinda.”
The DPO was called. He came out and shook hands with the lawyer. “You’re welcome, Barrister Raymond,” he said. “We didn’t know someone like you was involved in this matter.” The lawyer smiled lightly. “My client is innocent. I want to speak with him privately,” he said. Livinus was brought out from the cell. He looked tired. His beards were growing rough. The lawyer was taken to a small office and Livinus was allowed to sit with him. For the first time in days, Livinus felt someone was standing for him.
“Tell me everything,” Barrister Raymond said. “No lies. Just the truth.” Livinus nodded. “Melinda came from Lagos. We went out and I proposed to her. She accepted. That night, we made love and slept. Around 5am, I woke up to prepare for work and saw that she was no longer breathing.” The lawyer wrote down everything. “Did you put anything in her drink or food?” he asked. “No, sir. I can never do such,” Livinus replied. The lawyer nodded. “Good. I believe you. Now let me do my work.” He stood up and walked back to the officers.
He walked straight to the counter and said, “I want to apply for bail for my client. He turned himself in. That shows he has no intention of running away. He also has a good job and is known in the community.” The officer at the counter looked at the lawyer. “Oga, that kind thing no fit happen now. We dey wait for autopsy report. Until it comes, we can’t release him.”
The lawyer sighed. “That is not how things should be done. He deserves his freedom while investigations continue. This is a human rights issue.”
The lawyer stepped outside, picked his phone, and made some calls. In less than one hour, journalists began to arrive. Cameras and microphones filled the air. The lawyer stood in front of the police station and started a press conference. “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you what is happening. My client, Livinus, is being held illegally. He reported himself to the police after discovering his girlfriend died in his house. Instead of treating him with respect, they locked him up and demanded bribe.” The reporters became alert. Their pens started moving fast.
“I have proof that the police asked for N1 million to release him. Why would they ask for such money if they truly believe he killed someone?” the lawyer asked. “This is a poor young man who could have run away, but he didn’t. He showed up by himself and explained what happened. They didn’t even wait for the autopsy result before accusing him of rituals.” One of the reporters raised a hand. “Sir, what is your client’s condition inside the cell?” the lawyer answered, “He’s going through hell. And they sacked him from work too.”
The news spread quickly. Before noon, several blogs were already posting: "Man arrested after fiancée dies in his room says police demanded N1 million for his release." The story picked interest across the town. Many people began to suspect that Livinus was truly innocent. A few people even started showing support online. Meanwhile, inside the station, the DPO was angry. He called the officers together. “Who told that lawyer about the bribe? Why would you allow journalists to enter here?” he asked. One officer replied, “Oga, the man smart. He carry them come without warning.”
Back in the cell, Livinus sat on the floor. He looked at the iron bars and shook his head. The pain was heavy. He could hear people laughing outside. The noise from the journalists earlier still echoed in his head. Soon, Uche came again. He was allowed to see Livinus. “You dey try,” Livinus said. “Thank you for everything. That lawyer is strong.”
Uche replied, “Don’t worry, I believe you’ll come out. The lawyer said the press conference caused serious tension.”
Livinus nodded slowly. “God bless you for not abandoning me. Even my people never show face.”
Outside the station, the lawyer met with a senior police officer. The man looked worried. “Barrister, this thing you are doing is putting us under pressure. Please, calm down.”
The lawyer smiled. “I will not stop. Your men are the reason the system is bad. You know the boy didn’t do anything. You know it was a natural death, but you’re holding him like a criminal.”
The officer replied, “We’re just waiting for the autopsy report. Once it comes, we will act.”
“You had no right to parade him before the press without evidence,” the lawyer said.
Later that evening, the lawyer released a statement to the press. “We are watching the actions of the police. We will not allow them to destroy an innocent man’s life. Livinus is a victim, not a killer. Melinda’s death is painful, but the truth must come out. We demand fair treatment, not false accusation.” The statement was shared on Facebook and WhatsApp. Some human rights groups picked interest in the matter. The pressure was building. The police officers started becoming careful with their words and actions. The story was no longer an easy one.
In the cell that night, Livinus found it hard to sleep. The place was hot and smelly. Mosquitoes filled the air. He lay down on the cold floor, staring at the dirty ceiling. “God, if I survive this, I will never forget,” he whispered. “If not for Uche, I for don die for here.”
As he closed his eyes, the image of Melinda flashed through his mind. Her laughter, her smiles, her voice. He still could not believe she was gone. He still didn’t understand how someone could go to bed and not wake up.
To be continued
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