By Segun Durowaiye

The atmosphere was getting highly charged as Shigba, the betrayer and backstabber, dictated the pace.

“Shangolagba, bring the old man from the dungeon quickly,” Shigba ordered instantly, “and get me one of the coconuts and the big hammer! You know the next step and what we always do. Dele’s dad will meet his Maker today!”

Within a twinkling of an eye, the old man was brought to Pharaoh’s presence, and a hard coconut with a big hammer was given to him in addition. The old man was trembling, shaking and fidgety when he was shoved towards Pharaoh. His eyes were filled with heart-breaking tears and he was temporarily speechless.

“Old man,” Pharaoh hollered, “you’ll take your last breath in my presence now! Kneel down here and let me speed up the process of making you meet your Maker now!”

Suddenly, it dawned on Elder Oluleke that his son’s former business partner was about snuffing life out of him. He bowed in sorrowful tears and wept heartrendingly. Then, he said slowly, “Please, don’t kill me young man,” he pleaded, “I don’t want to die…please, in God’s name…don’t waste my soul…it’s not yet time for me to die…please…Shigba…”

“No one can face the lion in its den; no fish can play with the shark in its domain!” Pharaoh spat in anger, “I have to kill you now, no going back!”

In a jiffy, Pharaoh placed the hard coconut on the old man’s head and raised the big hammer up with all his might, and he hit it on the man’s head heavily. Just one heavy stroke did it. Elder Oluleke gasped for breath and struggled painfully. He collapsed on the right feet of Pharaoh and gave up the ghost. It was a gruesome and painful death.

The next moment, Shigba phoned Dele to tell him of the latest development. “Hello Dele,” he growled, “I have killed your dad! Your mum is next, then your wife and your only son!” “No…noo…nooo…” Dele said in tears, “why did you do this to me, Shigba? I told you I’m coming with the money…oh no…”

The following day was Easter Sunday. Christians everywhere were in a jolly and festive mood. The weather was lovely and bright. Shigba was still bent on carrying out his wicked and diabolic act despite the general mood of the whole world.
“Bring out the old woman from the dungeon quickly Asinwole,” Pharaoh ordered, “she is next to die! Don’t forget to bring along another hard coconut and my big hammer!”

In a jiffy, the old mum of Dele Oluleke was taken out of the dungeon and brought to face death in a most horrifying and inhuman way. The old woman trembled and stooped in an unsteady and weak way. She was sweating profusely and was shedding tears of agony. Pharaoh giggled with sardonic pleasure. He placed his right leg on the skull of a human being, possibly the skull of a man.

He laughed raucously and sputtered, “Kneel down here old woman, this is where you’ll meet your Maker!” The woman did as commanded.

Pharaoh placed the hard coconut on the head of the old woman and raised the big hammer up with his might to smash it on her head. The old woman closed her eyes, but the tears streamed down from her cheeks.

Shigba was about bringing it down heavily on her head when Dele suddenly dropped from the ceiling like a bolt from the blue! He grabbed the hammer from his hand and a struggle ensued. About five stout-looking men in Shigba’s gang wrestled with Dele at that moment. The struggle went on for about 10 minutes. Alas, Dele was overpowered in the long run and he was tied to a chair very close to his mum…

To be concluded.

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