By Segun Durowaiye

Mallam Bature was taken from the hospital to the Police Headquarters to testify and state his own side of the case.

After Mallam Bature had narrated his own side of the case, the DPO, Mr. Izuchukwu referred the case to the Lagos High Court. Exactly three weeks later, the case came up at the Lagos High Court. It co-incidentally happened that the Chief Judge in charge of the case was also an Igbo man named, Francis Emeka. The elderly and bespectacled Chief Judge, Francis Emeka, listened attentively to the stories narrated by Mrs. Mamora and her lawyer. Mallam Bature was also present during the whole court proceedings. Ireti was allowed to narrate her own side of the story at the court that eventful day. She spoke the truth and nothing short of it. The Judge rose and headed for his Chamber, telling the crowded court that he would resume proceedings very soon. When he came back, he didn’t mince words by apportioning blame on Mrs. Mamora.

He said point-blank: “Mrs. Mamora, you’re guilty for causing this unnecessary trouble for yourself and the whole community, and for causing bodily harm on Mallam Bature that almost claimed his life. I have an option of fine for Mrs.

Mamora. She should pay back all the money she collected from Mallam Bature or give the young beautiful girl, Ireti to the Mallam as wife. Now, Mallam Bature from your calculation, how much did you spend on the young girl? Her mum would give you back the money or be sentenced to five years jail term.”

“It’s just N1 million , my Lord.” Mallam Bature answered. “In that case she’d give you N2 million as damages, right now or she’d go to jail for five years.” The sagacious Judge replied.

Mrs. Mamora opened her handbag and brought out a cheque book. She wrote the N2 million cheque for Mallam Bature, signed it and was about giving the lanky and kind-hearted Mallam the said cheque when Ireti broke down in tears and said in an emotion-laden voice: “I’m saying this in the presence of the whole world… even if my mum gives Mallam Bature N5 million in exchange for me. I’ll still follow Mallam Bature ‘cos I’m in love with him. I’ll marry him… there’s no going back. Blood is thicker than water as love is stronger than money and pride… I love Mallam Bature… I’ll do anything to be with him…”

Everyone in the court that day were stunned and surprised. Mrs. Mamora opened her mouth in complete shock and confusion. She ran her fingers through her head in bewilderment.

“What did you just say, Ireti?” her mum asked again.

“I’ll marry Mallam Bature and live with him come rain, come shine,” Ireti replied in tears. She was already beside the amiable Mallam. She hugged him tenderly and softly. Ireti’s mum couldn’t stand it; she collapsed and fainted. Mallam Bature was lost for words. When he regained his usual bearing he said: “Oh, I love you, Ireti… there’s no life without you.”

The Chief Judge raised his gavel up, hit it on the table and uttered: “What more do we need as proof and settlement of this case? Ireti has chosen the man of her heart and dream. I wish both of you a wonderful and blissful married life! You can all go home! Case dismissed and settled!”

That was how Ireti became the wife of Mallam Bature. She attended the university, while living in the house of the humble Mallam. At the moment, Ireti is a successful Medical Doctor and she has two handsome boys for her husband; and they lived happily ever after. Till today, it became a mystery and shock to Mrs. Mamora how and why her daughter chose the gentle Mallam as husband. She couldn’t help it but had to accept her fate. At the moment Ireti was happy living with the kind and nice Mallam and they enjoyed the bliss of life.

Concluded.

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