Unexpected Trouble - S01 E06

Story 7 months ago

Unexpected Trouble - S01 E06

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 6

Unexpected Trouble Episode Six

By the third day, Barrister Raymond called another press conference right in front of the police station. He stood confidently before the cameras and journalists.

"The constitution is clear. No suspect should be detained beyond 24 hours without a court order," he began. The journalists listened carefully, their cameras focused. "Livinus has been in police custody for days now, without evidence, without a charge. This is unlawful." He raised a document in the air. "We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to intervene before this becomes a national embarrassment. Enough is enough."

The lawyer continued to talk. His voice was firm and direct. "My client is suffering in detention. He is no longer eating properly. He is weak and could collapse any moment. Are we waiting for him to die before we act?" Some journalists nodded, taking notes. "This is not just about Livinus. This is about every innocent person who could be a victim of carelessness. If you cannot find any proof against him, then release him or take him to court!" His words spread quickly on news blogs and social media platforms. People were now paying attention.

Inside the police station, the mood was tense. The DPO called his senior officers for a meeting. "This lawyer is dragging our name through the mud. We are beginning to look like kidnappers," he said. One of the officers responded, "Oga, maybe we should just take the matter to court. The autopsy report is delaying and this pressure is too much."

The DPO nodded slowly. "Yes, we will charge him to court tomorrow. Let the court decide. We cannot keep him here and keep defending ourselves every day in the press."

Uche was in the crowd during the press conference. He did not say anything but watched every moment. He felt a strange mix of fear and hope. The lawyer had become a strong voice for Livinus. Uche remembered how they all used to joke and laugh back in their university days. He never thought their lives would come to this point.

After the conference, he walked up to the lawyer. "Thank you again, sir. Livinus is lucky to have you." The lawyer replied, "We are not stopping until justice is done. He must not be punished for a crime he didn’t commit."

The next day, Livinus was brought out from the cell very early. A police van took him to the magistrate court. He sat quietly in the back of the vehicle, looking pale and withdrawn. When they got to the court premises, he saw many unfamiliar faces. Some were journalists, some were curious onlookers.

His lawyer met him at the court gate. "Today is just the beginning," Barrister Raymond whispered. "Remain calm. We will keep pushing." Livinus nodded faintly. He had no strength to speak much. He followed the officers into the courtroom, praying silently for a miracle.

The court session began shortly after. The magistrate, an elderly woman with thick glasses, sat behind the bench and looked at the file presented.

The prosecutor stood and said, "The suspect, Livinus, is charged with murder. He was the last person seen with the deceased, Melinda."

Barrister Raymond stood up immediately. "My Lord, there is no autopsy report yet. How can the police charge someone with murder without confirming the cause of death? This is a joke!"

The judge looked at both sides and asked, "Is the autopsy report ready?"

The prosecutor replied, "No, My Lord."

Barrister Raymond continued. "My Lord, I am applying for bail. My client turned himself in. He has cooperated fully. There is no reason to keep him in custody. He is ill and needs medical attention."

The judge paused and looked at the documents again. "This is a murder case. Bail is not granted easily," she said. "Until the court receives the autopsy report, the matter cannot move forward."

She banged her gavel. "The accused shall be remanded in prison custody pending further hearing." The courtroom fell silent. Livinus lowered his head. Even the journalists did not expect the bail to be rejected.

After the court session, Livinus was taken to a prison facility outside the city. This one was not like the police cell. It was bigger, rougher, and more populated. He was given a thin mattress and led into a cell with nine other inmates.

The place smelled of sweat and dirty clothes. One of the older prisoners looked at him and asked, "You be new person? Wetin carry you come?" Livinus did not respond. He sat in a corner, trying to adjust to the new environment. It was clear to him that this place would break him faster than the police cell.

Back in town, Uche could not sleep that night. He kept thinking about the court proceedings. He was shocked that bail was denied. He called the lawyer. "Sir, is there nothing else we can do? He is not strong enough to stay in prison."

The lawyer replied, "We will appeal the bail denial. But it takes time. The police knew what they were doing. They charged him without the autopsy so they can push the matter further. We must be patient."

Uche sighed. "Alright, sir. Just let me know anything you need. I am ready."

Meanwhile, inside the prison, Livinus struggled. The food was bad, and the air was filled with noise. He barely spoke to anyone. He just sat and watched, remembering Melinda's smile, her voice, and how everything changed within a few hours. His biggest fear now was not even the case, but his health. He was beginning to feel pains in his stomach. He could barely eat. No medical check-up had been done. Nobody cared. He was just another suspect in a crowded prison, waiting for a system that moved slowly, even when lives were at stake.

To be continued...