(Effiong at Ubong's site preparing to leave after the inspection. He signals Ubong to come before he enters into his Honda Pilot).
Effiong: Mr Ubong, I forgot to get the documents, in case of anything.
(Ubong hands him some papers, then the Chief, well-dressed, approaches him and he leaves
[SCENE CLOSES]
(Two months later, Effiong is seen overseeing the construction of his mansion on the land happily, when all of a sudden, a big Lexus Jeep (LX 700) and three police vehicles storm the place).
Mazi Ugonna: There he is, that’s the thief building on my land. (He points his walking stick at his feet). Okonkwo, bring my walking stick. (His nephew humbly hands him the walking stick).
(Work pauses and Effiong, confused as anything, walks up to the Chief and prostrates flat on the ground).
Effiong: Good morning, Chief. Sir, I can explain—
Mazi Ugonna: Shut up, mechonu! You are a thief, and you dare build against my info and brother. Officer, arrest him! He will rot in jail. I will use all my connections to make sure he suffers.
(The policemen take him away. Luckily, he is able to dial Barrister Mayowa’s number before he is taken to the station).
NEXT SCENE
(Three hours later, Barrister Mayowa pulls up to the police station in his Land Cruiser. He enters into the station looking for his client).
Lawyer Mayowa: Hello Officers, I’m looking for Mr Effiong Osagie. He was arrested earlier today and I’m here to stand as his bail lawyer, with me is his wife to serve as his surety!
Officer 1: Alright, sit down and wait then call his wife and tell her to sit with you, sir.
Lawyer Mayowa: No problem, Oga. (He dials Mrs Osagie’s line, but she doesn’t pick up so he moves to the car and discovers she went to use the restroom and she’s waiting for him. He returns to his seat and soon the slim figure of the once happy Effiong, as he looks bruised and battered).
Officer 2: Here’s your man, sir. So sign here, here, and here, then Madam, you sign here. (He indicates the documents that need to be signed). Okay, so everything is done, you can have your man, sir!
(Mr Effiong is then uncuffed, and his wife leads him to the lawyer's car, leaving only the lawyer and the police officers in the police station).
Lawyer Mayowa: Who put him in prison and what was his offence
Officer 2: He went to infringe on the land of the one and only Mazi Ugonna, and when we interrogated him, he said the land was sold to him by his brother, Ubong, and when they called the man, he said he wasn’t sold by him.
Officer 2: He went to infringe on the land of the one and only Mazi Ugonna, and when we interrogated him, he said the land was sold to him by his brother, Ubong, and when they called the man, he said he wasn’t sold by him.
Officer 1: Alright, sir. Put it for you! (He writes down Chief’s number, hands it to Lawyer Mayowa and the scene closes)
FINAL SCENE
(Two weeks later, the scene opens in Lawyer Mayowa’s office with Mazi Ugonna, Ubong, and Effiong to discuss the full details of the land issue).
Lawyer Mayowa: Good morning, gentlemen. So today we are here to discuss this land issue and settle it amicably before it gets to court! So first of all, I want this matter to be as clear and all parties to be as honest as possible. Mr Ubong!
(Mr Ubong raises his head slightly). Did you sell the land to Mr Effiong or not?
Ubong: No, sir. In fact, I’ve never seen him in my life.
Effiong: (Exclaims) Ahh! That’s a lie, O! Lawyer, I have evidence! WhatsApp chats, receipts, and voice notes, sir!
Lawyer Mayowa: (Signals Effiong to hold his peace). Mr Ubong, I’m repeating this same question again, and you must tell me the truth! Or else, you and your brother will dance straight to the beat of the law!
Ubong: (Looks into his brother's eyes and breathes deeply). Yes, I did. I made the sale of land for ₦52 million. My brother Chief bought the land and he seemed to have forgotten about it, cause it’s been sitting untouched for ten years now, and I got into a serious financial issue and I needed the money urgently. And when I met Effiong, it was I who chose and answered my prayer. But I blame Effiong too; he should have made findings because it was so obvious I was not the owner of the land, but the foolish boy did not ask.
Effiong: You call me a fool? I could have beaten you here and now. Are you mad? (Lawyer Mayowa signals him to calm down).
Lawyer Mayowa: First of all, Mr Ubong, you’re a criminal because when you did this, I’m sure you did not convey the truth to your brother, yes or no? (Ubong shakes his head slowly). Then secondly, the duty is not Effiong’s to verify how true your statement was; you made a representation, gave evidence of its existence, received financial recompense from it, and it turned out to be false. That means you are a fraudster, legally in the case of Sule v. Aromire. The same happened, well at least to some reasonable extent. The facts are similar and you pulled the main string which resulted in the recent turn of events, so please stop and let this be the last time.
Lawyer Mayowa: Anyways, my client, do you want to pursue litigation to seek justice, or both brothers settle amongst themselves?
Effiong: Lawyer, I want to collect damages. These men have battered, injured, and ruined my body and my reputation. I want to take them to court.
Lawyer Mayowa: Alright, all parties will hear from me soon. I wish everyone the best.
(The scene ends humorously after Lawyer Mayowa and Effiong exit the scene, an Angry Chief Ugonna flogs Ubong with his walking stick aggressively, for putting him in financial jeopardy).
No comments yet. Start the conversation.