Crime To Love - Episode 23

 

A fleet of cars dotted the Neboli high court premises.  Cyril pulled up at the park and alighted from his Toyota Camry LE. It was the day hearing was to commence on Flash’s case. He carried his wig and gown on his arm and a brief case in the other hand. With some caution he put on the gown and the wig and walked into the courtroom.

The impressive crowd at the courtroom was a pointer to the public interest in the matter. Any arm of media men came around to interview him on his forecast about  the case.  He was not in the mood for any interview and would not speak with them until the session was over. The task ahead of him was enormous, but he was determined to do his best. He had got to know that he was going to meet the renowned Barrister Ogbu, a senior advocate of Nigeria. “Court” came the voice of the court clerk, as the presiding Judge appeared from his chamber. All the people in the courtroom stood up. He mounted the bench took a bow and slowly took his seat. He was Justice IbeAnayo. He had a fair complexion, was admirably slim and elegantly dressed. He wore a pair of medicated glasses and was famous for his penchant for humor during court proceedings. He would always caution counsel appearing before him against turning his courtroom into a battlefield.

“Suit number HL/335CL/… “OkechukwuAniagu verses the state” the clerk informed the judge.

          “Appearance, please” the presiding judge ordered, as he put down some record.

“With respect my lord” counsel for the prosecution stood up and announced “Barr Ogbu, senior advocate of Nigeria, I announce my appearance for the accused person”. He took his seat.

Cyril sprang to his feet “may it please my lord,” he said “Cyril EzeaEsq appearing for the prosecution”. He sat down.

          “Yes,” the judge said as he recorded the appearances.

          “My lord the matter is for plea, and the prosecution is ready to go on.”  Barrister Cyril informed the court.

          “Yes, what about the defense?” the judge questioned

          “Very much ready, my lord,” Barr Ogbu responded.

          “Read the charges,” the judge directed the clerk

“At the session holding at Neboli high court on the 6th day, of July …,” the clerk began after inquiring from Okechukwu (Flash) whether he understood English language, “the court informed by Barr. Cyril Ezea that you, OkechukwuAniagu, and other at large, are charged with the following offences,

1st Count: murder, contrary to section 216 of the criminal code.

Particulars of offence: OkechukwuAniagu on the first Day of July… Along Enugu Road at about the hour of 12:15pm unlawfully and willfully killed Miss Jennifer Okoro, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 319 of the code.” The clerk ended.

The judge looked at Okechukwu and questioned, “Did you understand this charge against you?”

          “Yes my lord,” Okechukwu answered

          “How do you plea to it?”

          “Not guilty, my lord, “Okechukwu responded.

The judge noted down the plea.

“2nd Count,” the clerk continued, as the judge recorded Okechukwu’s plea, “Conspiracy to murder, contrary to section 324 of the criminal code.

Particulars of offence: OkechukwuAniagu on the 1st Day of July …….. or any other date before did conspire among yourselves to kill miss Jennifer Okoro, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 324 of the code.”

“Yes my lord,” Okechukwu responded

“How do you plea to it?”

“Not guilty, my lord,” Okechukwu replied nervously.

The courtroom was silent as a graveyard with the crowd in the gallery watching the proceeding.

“Since the preliminary issues had been settled, are the parties ready to proceed to hearing today?” the judge inquired.

“Yes my lord, the prosecution is ready to proceed subject to your kind permission my lord,” Barrister Cyril responded.

“Permission granted, you may proceed,” the judge accented.

“With the leave of this honourable court, I hereby give evidence which I am confidently believing that master OkechukwuAniagu  the accused is guilty, he brought out the I.D card and showed it to the crowd and later it to the judge” the judge examined the identity and smiled shaking his head.

Then Barr.Ogbu sprang to his feet.” Objection my lord.”

“You may go ahead” the judge permitted.

“That I.D card cannot just be a proof that the bearer who is accused likely be guilty,” Barr Ogbu said.

Cyril stood up.  “Objection my lord”

“Over ruled”  the judge conclude, you may continue the presiding counsel. Barr.Ogbu continued by telling the court that someone must have set the accused up by keeping his identity card right there inside the same car he used  in Committing a crime.